“No Man Is Bigger Than Our Country”: PENGASSAN Orders Nationwide Strike Over Alleged Sacking of 800 Workers by Dangote Refinery

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The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) has declared a nationwide strike after Dangote Refinery allegedly dismissed 800 Nigerian workers, replacing them with foreign nationals. What this means for the energy sector, workers’ rights, and national impact.

Introduction

In a dramatic escalation, PENGASSAN (Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria) has ordered a nationwide industrial action in response to Dangote Refinery’s alleged dismissal of 800 Nigerian workers. The union accuses the refinery of violating labour laws, constitutional protections, and replacing local employees with foreign personnel. With crude and gas supply lines cut, the ripple effects could destabilize the petroleum sector across Nigeria.

What Sparked the Strike?

• PENGASSAN alleges that Dangote Refinery sacked over 800 unionised Nigerian staff for joining the union and replaced them with foreign (reportedly Indian) personnel.
• The union claims this is a direct attack on freedom of association, protected under both the Constitution and labour laws.
• Dangote’s management, in contrast, contends that there was no mass sack, but rather an internal “reorganization” and that most of its workforce remains Nigerian.

The Strike Directive

PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council issued instructions that:

1. All members in field locations are to down tools from 06:00 hrs on Sunday, 28 September 2025.
2. A total nationwide shutdown across offices and facilities should begin 00:01 Monday, 29 September 2025.
3. Gas and crude supplies to Dangote Refinery should be halted.
4. International Oil Companies (IOCs) linked to the refinery are instructed to reduce gas production.

PENGASSAN insists that the strike will persist until all affected workers are reinstated unconditionally.

Broader Impacts & Risks

1. Operational Disruption

• Business Insider reports that Dangote’s refining operations have halted entirely due to the strike, affecting fertilizer plant operations too.
• Crude and gas supply chains have been cut a serious threat to downstream operations.

2. Economic & Energy Security Threats

• Nigeria’s ability to refine its own fuel depends heavily on Dangote’s output. A sustained strike may force a return to crude import dependence.
• The disruption could lead to fuel scarcity, price hikes, and foreign exchange strain.

3. Legal & Labour Rights Battle

• Labour experts note that PENGASSAN’s action touches on essential service statutes, which require special procedural compliance before industrial action.
• The union’s case hinges on proving that the dismissals violated protections against victimization for union membership.
• The government is reportedly intervening, seeking to broker peace before the dispute worsens.

What Must Happen Next

• Government intervention & mediation: The Labour Ministry has already invited both sides for conciliation talks.
• Independent investigation: A transparent probe into the dismissals and alleged replacement of Nigerian workers with foreign nationals is essential for restoring public trust.
• Reinstatement & guarantees: If PENGASSAN’s claims hold, reinstatement and protection against future reprisals should be non-negotiable.
• Legal clarity: Both parties must observe Nigeria’s trade dispute laws, especially regarding essential services, notice periods, and arbitration.

Conclusion

This standoff between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery underscores deeper tensions in Nigeria’s oil sector: labour rights, national control of energy assets, and private sector power. With Nigeria’s fuel future hanging in the balance, the country faces a test: protect its workers and uphold national interest or watch a critical industry suffer under discord.