PENGASSAN has shutdown Dangote refinery sparking national uproar
Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has shut down operations at the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Refinery, citing the unlawful dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers.
The union claims these workers were sacked for joining PENGASSAN, triggering what may be the most consequential labor standoff in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector this year.
The shutdown, which began early Sunday, affects not just the refinery but also the fertiliser plant, Train Two is completely offline, while Train One limps at 60% capacity. The diesel plant remains operational, but for how long?
PENGASSAN’s emergency National Executive Council meeting led to a nationwide directive: all members must withdraw services effective Monday, September 29, 2025.
The union has also ordered a halt to all gas and crude supply to the refinery, urging International Oil Companies (IOCs) to ramp down production.
General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa accused Dangote of replacing Nigerian workers with 2,000 foreign nationals, mostly Indians, calling it a betrayal of national loyalty and a violation of labor laws and ILO conventions.
This shutdown isn’t just a union protest—it’s a seismic shake-up in Nigeria’s energy landscape. With crude supply halted and operations frozen, the ripple effects could be felt across the continent.
