PENGASSAN Dangote Refinery strike halted as court restrains union from cutting crude supply, warning of economic sabotage risks

The PENGASSAN Dangote Refinery strike has been halted by the National Industrial Court in Abuja, which issued an interim injunction stopping the oil workers’ union from disrupting operations at Africa’s largest petroleum refinery.

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Justice Emmanuel Sublim, in a decisive ruling on Thursday, restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and its affiliates from shutting down crude and gas supply lines to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

He warned that such an action could inflict severe damage on Nigeria’s already fragile economy.

The court’s order also bound 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 enforcing any directive that would restrict supply to the facility. The case was adjourned until October 13 for hearing.

In response to the strike threat, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery assured Nigerians of steady production and supply of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and cooking gas.

The company described PENGASSAN’s planned action as a “lawless attempt to sabotage Nigeria’s economic stability,” insisting that all refinery operations remain normal.

Intelligence reports reportedly revealed a plot to sabotage key refinery units, particularly those involved in petrol production.

The company said it had requested heightened security surveillance to protect the multibillion-dollar facility from possible attacks by aggrieved union members and hired thugs.

Over the weekend, PENGASSAN had instructed its branches across oil majors—including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Shell Nigeria Gas, and Oando—to halt all crude loading operations to the refinery.

The directive ordered a full shutdown of supply valves, effectively aiming to cripple the refinery’s crude intake.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery condemned the move as “an act of economic sabotage against Nigeria and its people,” rejecting allegations of anti-labour practices.

The company said its internal restructuring was targeted at preventing internal sabotage, not at victimising Nigerian workers.

“More than 3,000 Nigerians remain fully employed at the refinery,” the company stated. “Only a minimal number were affected by our operational review.”

Security sources confirmed that authorities have been placed on high alert to prevent any physical disruption. They described the alleged plan as an “advanced attempt to undermine Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in refining.”

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Despite mounting pressure, Dangote Refinery vowed to maintain uninterrupted production and distribution of refined petroleum products nationwide, calling the court ruling a “decisive step against union lawlessness.”