The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strongly condemned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over its plan to halt the crude oil supply to the refinery. The refinery management described the union’s directive as a “brazen, albeit shocking, display of lawlessness and criminality.”
In a statement released on Saturday, September 27, 2025, Dangote Refinery stated that PENGASSAN lacks the legal authority to instruct its branches to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to the refinery. The management emphasized that such contracts for gas and crude supply are between Dangote Refinery and third-party vendors and are not subject to union interference.
The refinery called the union’s action criminal conduct, warning that it disrupts key contracts and risks causing mayhem, chaos, and economic sabotage. Dangote Refinery highlighted that the shutdown of supplies would affect crucial petroleum products such as aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel, and cooking gas, impacting the entire Nigerian public.
Noting that Dangote Refinery is a significant contributor to federal and sub-national government revenues, the management stressed that the strike threatens ongoing revenue generation and national economic stability. The refinery urged the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies to intervene and call PENGASSAN to order.
“This reckless and irresponsible conduct must not be allowed to disrupt the nation’s energy supply and hurt Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
The unfolding dispute follows PENGASSAN’s strike declaration last weekend, triggered by the alleged mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers at the refinery, a claim the refinery disputes, citing operational reorganization to prevent sabotage.