The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called for a nationwide strike in response to the alleged mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by the Dangote Refinery. The union accused the refinery of unlawfully terminating employees for joining the association and replacing them with more than 2,000 foreign workers, mostly from India.
The strike directive came after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on September 27, 2025, and was signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa. PENGASSAN ordered all members in field locations to withdraw services from 6:00 AM on Sunday, September 28, and all members across offices, companies, and institutions to cease work from 12:01 AM on Monday, September 29.
The union suspended all operations related to gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery and called for a 24-hour nationwide prayer vigil. It condemned the refinery’s actions as a violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation conventions, describing the dismissals as an affront to Nigerian workers.
Dangote Industries refuted the claims, stating the dismissals were linked to operational security concerns and the company remains committed to employing Nigerians. The refinery, which started full operations recently, plays a strategic role in Nigeria’s energy sector and efforts to reduce fuel import dependency.
The strike poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s energy stability, with lawmakers and consumer groups already urging both sides to resolve the dispute quickly. The strike will continue until the reinstatement of the dismissed workers, PENGASSAN affirmed.