PENGASSAN declares nationwide strike over face-off with Dangote

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed all its members across the country to withdraw their services in response to what it terms the mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery.

In a circular issued following an emergency National Executive Council meeting on 27 September 2025, and signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of contravening Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and international labour conventions by dismissing staff for joining the union.

The NEC claimed that the management had replaced the dismissed Nigerian workers with more than 2,000 Indians, calling this replacement “an affront to all workers in Nigeria.”

PENGASSAN ordered members in field locations to down tools from 06:00 on Sunday, 28 September, and ordered a total nationwide shutdown in all offices, institutions, agencies, and companies from 00:01 on Monday, 29 September.

“All PENGASSAN members working across field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00 hrs on Sunday … This includes control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel.

“All PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies should withdraw all services effective 00:01 on Monday .

“No intervention whatsoever will be entertained across field locations except where the safety of personnel and assets is at risk …All processes that involve gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be let off immediately … All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals,” the circular said.

The NEC also announced 24‑hour prayer vigils and appealed to the government to intervene, stating that the strike would continue until the dismissed workers are reinstated. “An injury to one is an injury to all. No man is bigger than our country,” the circular added.

The confrontation follows a bitter dispute between Dangote Refinery and trade unions over labour rights and safety standards. According to media reports, the conflict escalated after Dangote, in a letter dated 24 September, allegedly dismissed some staff for purported sabotage, claiming it was necessary to protect the safety of its 650,000 barrels per day facility.

While PENGASSAN claims some 800 staff were sacked and replaced with foreign workers, Dangote management has denied mass dismissals. The company says it is conducting an internal reorganisation and that the majority of its workforce remains Nigerian, emphasising the need to protect the plant from sabotage and maintain operational safety.