Court Halts PENGASSAN Strike Against Dangote Refinery as Labour Mobilises Nationwide

The National Industrial Court in Abuja has restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from proceeding with its planned strike against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.

Justice Emmanuel Subilim issued the interim order on Friday after an ex-parte application filed by Dangote Refinery. The injunction also barred PENGASSAN and other defendants, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), from halting crude and gas supplies to the plant.

The refinery, represented by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ogwu Onoja, argued that the strike threat stemmed from misinformation. Management explained that recent staff layoffs—allegedly linked to union membership—were instead part of a reorganisation following incidents of sabotage that raised safety and health concerns. Out of a workforce of more than 3,000, the company said only a small number of employees were affected.

PENGASSAN, however, claimed that over 800 workers were sacked, describing the move as anti-labour. The union threatened to block crude supply unless the workers were recalled. By Friday, union members had already barricaded the headquarters of NNPCL, NMDPRA and NUPRC in Abuja, singing solidarity songs and blocking entrances.

Justice Subilim ruled that allowing the strike to proceed would cause irreparable harm to essential services and the economy, given the refinery’s role in Nigeria’s energy supply. The court adjourned the matter until October 13, with the interim order valid for seven days.

Reacting, PENGASSAN dismissed reports of the injunction, stating it had not been formally served. “Court orders or processes are served via bailiffs, not social media. Our members should ignore the rumours and continue with the industrial action” the union said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) escalated the dispute, directing its affiliates to prepare for a nationwide strike. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused the Dangote Group of union-busting, exploitation and violating Nigerian labour laws. He alleged the company’s practices flout Section 40 of the Constitution and ILO conventions.

“The time for pleading is over. The moment for decisive action is now. All affiliates must begin full mobilisation of members and resources to resist Dangote’s anti-worker stance” the NLC directive read.

The standoff, if unresolved, could severely disrupt Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, with implications for electricity distribution companies and consumers nationwide.