The National Industrial Court has barred PENGASSAN from halting crude and gas supply to Dangote Refinery, though the union has already begun its strike.
George Ibrahim, SAN, from Ogwu James Onoja law firm in Abuja, who argued the application on behalf of the applicant, secured the order.
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from proceeding with its planned industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim delivered the ruling on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The court’s decision came after Dangote Refinery sought an ex-parte application to prevent PENGASSAN, Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum, and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission from cutting crude and gas supply to the refinery.
George Ibrahim, SAN, from Ogwu James Onoja law firm in Abuja, who argued the application on behalf of the applicant, secured the order.
However, despite the court order, PENGASSAN has already implemented a cutoff of gas and crude oil supply to Dangote Refinery.
The company had described the action as “criminal and economic sabotage”.
The standoff between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery stems from the company’s alleged dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers, who were reportedly replaced by foreign nationals.
PENGASSAN claims the action is a violation of Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions.
The union had directed its members to withdraw services nationwide, effective Monday, September 29, 2025, and halt all gas and crude oil supply to Dangote Refinery.
But Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disputed the account of the PENGASSAN, accusing the Union of engaging in acts of “terror” against Nigerians, describing the union’s strike order as “lawless.”
Dangote Group stated that the strike poses a threat to the supply of essential petroleum products, including kerosene, petrol, diesel, cooking gas, and aviation fuel, which are crucial for hospitals, schools, emergency services, and transportation systems.
The company warned that PENGASSAN “cares little if at all about the unbearable hardship and terror it would thereby inflict on all Nigerians, including but not limited to the provision of essential services in our hospitals and medical facilities, schools (nursery and right up to tertiary and research institutions), emergency services, communications facilities, transportation systems, etc.”
The company said, “Assuming that was a fact that (it sacked workers), which it is not, would that justify the terror and guerrilla tactics that the Association is now unleashing on Nigerians?
“Would that justify holding over 230 million Nigerians to ransom by cutting off their essential supplies of petroleum products – kerosene, cooking gas, petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, amongst others? Would that justify threatening the lives of persons, including infants and aged persons, who need the petroleum products and attendant necessities for their life-support systems in the hospitals, in care homes, etc.”
“The oligarchs in PENGASSAN have proved themselves to be terrorists and have turned the Association into a bully organization. It is time they be called to order,” the company said.
It added that “PENGASSAN’s terrorist tactics must be defeated by the Nigerian people”.
Dangote Group strongly refuted the claims that it sacked all Nigerian workers and employed over 2,000 foreigners, stating: “These are all lies that have been consistently debunked by Dangote Refinery, including in its recent release of 26 September 2025 which was in response to these same lies that PENGASSAN has been peddling.
“In that release, we pointed out that ‘over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our Petroleum Refinery’ and that ‘we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our various graduate trainee programs and experienced hire recruitment process.’”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the strike which had commenced today, paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including NNPC, NUPRC, and NMDPRA.
The industrial action has raised concerns about fuel scarcity and nationwide blackouts, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. Thermal power stations, which supply over 70% of Nigeria’s electricity, have begun shutting down, further exacerbating the crisis.
The labour minister, Muhammad Dingyadi, has appealed for calm and convened an emergency meeting to resolve the dispute. The government is urging both parties to reach an amicable resolution to prevent further disruptions to fuel supply and protect jobs.
THIS STORY ORIGINALLY APPEARED AT SAHARA REPORTERS