PENGASSAN Orders Gas, Crude Supply Cut to Dangote Refinery Over Union Rights Dispute

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members to halt gas and crude supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following a heated dispute over workers’ rights to unionize.

In a circular dated September 26, 2025, and signed by General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, the union instructed branch chairmen in major oil and gas firms — including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Oando, Shell, and NGIC — to suspend vessel loading operations and shut crude supply valves linked to the refinery.

PENGASSAN accused the refinery’s management of disengaging workers seeking to unionize and spreading “misinformation and propaganda” rather than addressing grievances. The circular specifically tasked NGIC to cut gas supply to the refinery “effective immediately.”

“The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to unionize. Rather than engage meaningfully, they have chosen propaganda. Consequently, you are hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC, shut all crude oil supply valves, and halt vessel loading operations to the refinery immediately,” the statement read in part.

The directive, according to PENGASSAN, is aimed at defending workers’ constitutional rights, with branch chairmen instructed to provide updates on compliance.

The Dangote Group has not yet issued a formal response. However, earlier this month, the company dismissed reports of mass layoffs, stressing that over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the refinery. Management maintained that only a small number of staff were affected during a reorganisation meant to prevent sabotage and safeguard refinery operations, while insisting that employees remain free to decide whether or not to join a union.

The standoff follows lingering labour tensions despite a federal government-brokered resolution involving three ministers and the Deputy Director General of the DSS. Both NUPENG and PENGASSAN have repeatedly accused the refinery of refusing to recognise workers’ rights and intimidating union officials.

With this latest escalation, PENGASSAN’s directive to cut fuel supply and halt operations could significantly disrupt the refinery’s output at a time when it is being positioned as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy sector.