The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered its members to stop supplying crude oil and gas to the Dangote Refinery, intensifying its face-off with management over alleged anti-labour practices.
Lens News learnt that in a letter signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union directed immediate suspension of crude supply through vessels and closure of gas supply valves to the refinery. The directive followed allegations that Dangote management sacked workers sympathetic to union activities and blocked local staff from accessing the refinery while giving passage to expatriates.
PENGASSAN also accused the refinery of withdrawing staff buses and trying to justify its actions with what the union described as “misleading narratives.” The body warned that if its demands are ignored, it may move to picket the refinery in the coming days.
Dangote Industries, however, has denied mass sackings, insisting that recent changes were part of an internal reorganisation to prevent sabotage. The company said over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the refinery and rejected claims of discrimination against local workers.
The clash comes just as Dangote announced a halt on petrol sales in naira, citing crude oil supply shortages. Industry observers fear the twin crises could deepen volatility in Nigeria’s already fragile energy market.
