Court Stops PENGASSAN From Cutting Crude and Gas Supply to Dangote Refinery Over Labour Dispute
Story: written by Okafor Joseph http://National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim order stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from carrying out its planned industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim, ruling on an ex parte motion filed by Dangote Refinery, also restrained the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from halting crude oil and gas supply to the $20 billion refinery.
Arguing the application, George Ibrahim (SAN) said Dangote Refinery, as a licensed producer and distributor of petroleum products, provides critical services to Nigeria’s energy sector. He warned that any disruption could endanger national energy security and worsen hardship for millions of citizens.
The senior advocate told the court that the refinery had recently recorded cases of sabotage, prompting a management restructuring that affected only a small number of employees. He denied claims by PENGASSAN that over 800 staff were dismissed due to union activities, insisting that the company still employs more than 3,000 Nigerians and remains supportive of workers’ rights to unionise.
PENGASSAN, however, in a letter dated September 26, 2025, signed by its General Secretary Lamumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, threatened to cripple the refinery unless the dismissed workers were reinstated.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Subilim held that the balance of convenience favoured Dangote Refinery, as permitting the strike would cause irreparable damage to its operations and disrupt essential fuel supply nationwide. He granted a seven-day restraining order to maintain industrial peace pending the determination of the substantive suit.
The court further directed that the order and motion on notice be served immediately on all defendants. The case was adjourned to October 13, 2025 for hearing.
