The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed its members nationwide to withdraw their services, following the alleged mass dismissal of Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery.
The directive was issued in a circular released after an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, and signed by the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa.
PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by allegedly sacking workers for joining the union. It also claimed the dismissed staff had been replaced by “over 2,000 Indians,” describing the action as “an affront to all Nigerian workers.”
The union announced a phased shutdown of operations, starting Sunday, September 28, with a full nationwide withdrawal of services from Monday, September 29.
“All PENGASSAN members working across field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00hrs on Sunday, 28 September 2025, and commence 24-hour prayers,” the circular stated. “This includes control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel.”
“All members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies are to withdraw all services effective 00:01hrs on Monday, 29 September 2025.”
The union further ordered the immediate suspension of all gas and crude oil supply to Dangote Refinery. It instructed branches in International Oil Companies (IOCs) to ramp down gas production and halt all supply to the refinery and its petrochemical operations.
PENGASSAN also announced 24-hour prayer vigils and called for urgent government intervention, warning that the industrial action would continue until all dismissed workers are reinstated.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. No man is bigger than our country,” the union declared.
This latest move follows recent tensions between Dangote Refinery and labour unions, including NUPENG, over alleged rights violations and workplace safety concerns.
