Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, and Dangote Petroleum Refinery has spiraled into picketing of government agencies in Abuja and threats to cut fuel supplies.
At the heart of the crisis are accusations of mass sackings, union-busting, and foreign labour dominance; claims that Dangote insists are false.
1. The Trigger
The crisis began in August 2025, when workers at the refinery allegedly joined PENGASSAN en masse. The union claims that Dangote responded by sacking over 800 Nigerian staff and replacing them with Indian workers, calling it a violation of labour laws. Dangote says only a small number of workers were affected by a routine restructuring.
2. PENGASSAN’s Allegations
The union accuses the refinery of operating a “slave labour regime,” suppressing union rights, and undermining Nigerian talent. It says: “All Nigerians working in the refinery have been sacked and their jobs given to Indians.”
3. Dangote’s Defence
Dangote strongly denies the allegations, stressing that over 3,000 Nigerians still work actively at the facility. It insists the reorganisation was lawful, not arbitrary, and says PENGASSAN’s claims are “lies and terror tactics.”
4. Escalation: Picketing in Abuja
On September 29, 2025, PENGASSAN began picketing NNPC Ltd., NUPRC, and NMDPRA in Abuja, disrupting activities at the regulatory agencies. The union also ordered members nationwide to halt crude oil and gas supply to the refinery.
5. Government’s Position
The Federal Ministry of Finance, which chairs the Domestic Crude for Naira Initiative, has assured Nigerians that fuel supply will not be disrupted. It confirmed that the refinery’s concerns with PENGASSAN are being addressed “with urgency and in good faith.”
