The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared a nationwide strike over the alleged mass dismissal of more than 800 workers by the Dangote Refinery.
In a directive issued to its members, the union ordered the immediate suspension of crude and gas supply to the refinery and directed international oil companies to cut supply in solidarity. The strike action is being rolled out in phases, with field operations withdrawn from Sunday, September 28, while all services in companies, institutions, and government agencies are to be suspended from Monday, September 29.
PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating labour laws by replacing dismissed Nigerian workers with expatriates, describing the action as unfair and against international labour standards. The union warned that the industrial action could disrupt power generation nationwide, as gas-fired plants depend heavily on the supply now being cut off.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has appealed to PENGASSAN to suspend the strike, while the Dangote Refinery denied any mass sack, insisting the move was part of a reorganisation plan and that most of its workforce remains Nigerian.