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The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), a group led by an economist, has been warned against engaging in an industrial war that it cannot with the Dangote Group.

He made this comment on Monday’s The Morning Brief on Channel 9 and The Daily Mail about the company’s handling of some of the Nigerian workers’ union disputes.

Read more about PENGASSAN declaring a national strike at Dangote Refinery.

Don’t join a fight you can’t win, is my counsel to labor. Don’t try to destroy a systemic, strategic, and national interest-protecting refinery. You can’t, he said, “do that.”

Right to hire, and fired

The professor lamented that despite the enormous investment being made to revive them, Nigeria’s refineries were still in operation despite the country’s declining foreign direct investment.

“Our foreign direct investment has melted away, and we won’t even receive $ 2 billion this year, compared to $ 20 billion,” he said.

Even the $10 billion that the NNPC spent to build the refineries for ten years was futile. The refineries are shut down because they securitize our five-year revenues, which they receive in return, Ife said.

The economist also argued that hiring and firing shouldn’t be denied to employers.

READ MORE:   Strike: FG Appeals to PENGASSAN Over Dangote Dispute, Monday Truce Meeting Holds.

“The allegations are that Dangote opposed unionization and workers’ rights. Because Dangote has stated that it supports workers’ union rights, but those rights are voluntary, that is not true.

“Dangote (Dangote) has already started anti-labour practices, and we don’t have any proof that they were selectively targeting those or preventing them from enlisting in a union,” according to the second one.

In a country with democracy and free markets and where employers are denied the right to hire and fire, I don’t know about any labor laws. And I don’t know any where unions pick the employee and hire, he said.

“Take the Court”

According to him, the union’s failure to end the lives of the 800 allegedly sacked by grounding the economy is inadmissible.

He added that the refinery’s timing of the sacking of the Nigerian workers was not problematic.

You can’t live above the law, these unions say. You fight for and defend the rights of your members.

“Contact the industrial court if you have any problems.” You don’t violate the laws in your own hands, Ife said, so that’s your first port of call.

Nationalwide Strike and Labor Dispute

Last week, PENGASSAN issued a directive to its members to immediately halt gas supplies to Dangote Petroleum Refinery, accusing the company’s management of disengaging unionized workers and launching a “mission of misinformation and propaganda” rather than meaningful union engagement.

The refinery’s plan to stop crude supply to the refinery was criticized by PENGASSAN as a “brazen, albeit shocking, display of lawlessness and criminality.”

Additionally, it claimed that the union was unable to direct its branches to “cut off” crude oil and gas deliveries to the refinery.

However, the union later directed its members to revoke their services in a circular issued after a momentary National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, September 27, 2025, which was signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa.

The refinery was fired because it had joined the association, infringing on Nigeria’s labor laws, the constitution, and international labor organization conventions.

The Federal Government urged PENSASSAN to reconsider its proposed strike over its dispute with Dangote Refinery on Sunday because of the effects the industrial action had on the economy.

Senator Shehu Sani, a former federal lawmaker, has urged Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to engage in constructive dialogue to stop a strike.

He warned that every Nigerian would suffer if there was a nationwide shutdown during his speech on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

According to Sani, “I think Dangote and the union can come to terms and resolve this problem.”

Sani praised Dangote for building Africa’s largest refinery, calling him “one son Nigeria is proud of.”

He did, however, insist that the Constitution requires that workers have the right to join unions.

He said that “only when employees disrupt operations should measures be taken,” but that firing them for joining unions is improper.

He warned against labor union disputes, which could harm the refinery’s reputation abroad.

Sani argued that the conflict was between Dangote’s desire for uninterrupted production and the unions’ duty to protect workers as the source of the crisis.

Sani remarked that “the world views Nigeria as a petroleum power thanks to Dangote refinery.”

He warned that “without unions, workers will be abused, exploited, and their rights unprotected.”

He acknowledged Dangote’s apprehension about strikes but argued that dialogue was the only way to get rid of it.

Sani praised the government’s media efforts, noting that “the government’s interest in solving this is demonstrated by the Ministry of Labour’s invitation to both sides.”

PENGASSAN Sets Orders for the shutdown

PENGASSAN claimed Dangote Refinery ersted 800 Nigerians and installed “more than 2, 000 Indians” in their place.

The strike directive forbade the reinstatement of workers until the job was done.

Members were told to stop receiving crude oil and gas from the refinery.
Its circular read, “Every control room and field operation must end without delay.

“An injury to one is an injury to everyone,” the saying goes. No other person is greater than our nation, the union continued.

TUC Threatens to strike

Dangote Refinery’s allegedly sacking employees who joined PENGASSAN was condemned by the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

Nuhu Toro, the TUC’s secretary general, claimed in a statement that the dismissal violated the ILO and the constitution of Nigeria.

Toro declared, “We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers.”

He demanded that the refinery issue a public apology and the reinstatement of the sacked staff. Toro alerted affiliates to a potential nationwide strike.

He declared that “no company will be permitted to violate workers’ rights.”

Dangote’s response

Dangote Refinery refuted accusations of wrongdoing, arguing that the restructuring was necessary “to prevent sabotage and ensure safety.”

More than 3, 000 Nigerians remained employed, compared to just a few workers, according to the report.

PENGASSAN was charged with “criminal conduct” and economic sabotage by the refinery.
No law gives PENGASSAN the authority to halt supplies, it said.

The company warned that the government’s revenues and fuel supplies might be impacted by the shutdown. It demanded that the Federal Government step in and put an end to what it termed “reckless conduct.”

FG Injures

The Federal Government urged PENGASSAN to postpone its planned strike against Dangote Refinery in the midst of the dispute.

Muhammad Dingyadi, the minister of labor, claimed that his government had started conciliation efforts to stop escalation on Sunday.

The Ministry confirmed invitations to Dangote Refinery management and PENGASSAN in an official statement signed by Patience Onuobia, the head of information and public relations, on Monday.

Nigerians have been assured by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) that the proposed strike, which is scheduled for Monday, will prevent a shortage of gasoline.

The Dangote Refinery’s alleged widespread dismissal of Nigerian workers had caused the union to order its members to renounce their services across the country.

However, the strike notice has sparked outrage in the general public, with many Nigerians worried that it will cause lengthy filling station queues.

READ MORE: [Strike] FG Appeals to PENGASSAN Over Dangote Dispute, Monday Truce Meeting Held.

Festus Osifo, president of PENGASSAN, confirmed that the union had shut down the refineries’ gas supply during a speech on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

What would happen if we disaggregated the results? The effect is not going to be a problem for Nigerians who are waiting to buy PMS, as it is right now, tomorrow, or even by the weekend. Osifo said, “It won’t dovetail into that.”

“Yes, as we speak, we have cut the gas supply to the refineries, the fertilisers, and everything else.” Yes, because we are going to tell the person who laid the golden egg that we are much crazier than they are when they say they are crazy.

Shelve the attack

The Federal Government urged the union to reconsider and put the plan on hold following PENGASSAN’s strike notice.

Muhammad Dingyadi, the minister of labor and employment, stated on Sunday that his ministry has taken steps to stop the two parties’ differences from getting worse.

Dingyadi disclosed that PENGASSAN’s leadership and Dangote Refinery management have been invited to an urgent meeting in his office on Monday to resolve their dispute.

The Minister requested that PENGASSAN’s leadership renounce the strike declaration to allow his ministry to settle the conflict in a calm setting.

“We’ll be at the meeting,” you say.

Osifo confirmed the Federal Government’s invitation to a meeting with the Dangote Refinery in a further statement on the program on Sunday.

He stated that the union would attend the meeting on Monday, but that PENGASSAN’s position is still subject to the Dangote Refinery’s full recall of employees.

He declared that the Federal Ministry of Labor will hold a meeting tomorrow and that he would like to attend.

You can’t send close to 1000 Nigerians to the streets in this way because they are violating their union rights, according to our statement.

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, deployed federal mines officers in the state to lead rescue operations following reports of a mine pit collapse in Kadauri Village, Maru, Zamfara State.

The ministry claimed that the collapse was brought on by heavy rain and the illegal mining activity was made worse by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori.

According to the report, the collapse resulted in the deaths of at least 15 itinerant mine workers, and 13 bodies have been found.

Read more about the 23 people who were trapped in a Colombian mine who were still alive.

The ministry stated that “the recovery efforts are on track to bring the other two, who are still encased in rubble,”.

Tragedy is “évitable.”

Dele Alake, the state’s minister of solid mineral development, bemoaned the tragedy, calling the loss of lives both preventable and unfortunate.

He claimed that the ministry’s relevant departments have been mobilized to assist with rescue operations and find the reasons for the incident.

“I was shocked to learn that there had been a tragic incident in Zamfara, which unfavorably left some people dead. The minister was quoted as saying that the first responders have mobilized to the site and are working with state government officials on rescue operations. Following that, the site will be closed off.

The ministry explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the area is suitable for alluvial mining because it has traces of gold and loose sand.

It noted that illegal miners mobilized itinerant workers who rushed to the site with rudimentary tools without consideration for the environmental and safety risks that were present when the site’s gold traces were discovered.

Mining Marshals

The ministry claimed that Alake set up the mining marshals more than a year ago, which resulted in the arrest of over 300 illegal miners in 10 states, the FCT, and the closure of 98 illegal mining sites.

“With more boots on the ground and logistics, efforts are being made to expand the scope of their operations across the nation and to increase their capacity.

Zamfara, however, presents a unique challenge because of its prior banditry to the current administration.

“The National Security Advisor (NSA) coordinates military clearance operations to address the problem decisively,” says the Tinubu administration. The Minister announced the end of Zamfara’s mining-related restrictions in December 2024 in response to improved security there.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) is accused of firing employees by the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

The union said it would call a national strike immediately if its demands were ignored, according to a statement signed by its Secretary General, Nuhu Toro.

The dismissal action was described as “a direct assault on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution,” according to PENGASSAN and TUC.

He claimed that Nigeria’s obligations under ILO conventions were also violated by the sackings.

In a statement released on Saturday, Toro declared, “We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with PENGASSAN.”

The TUC demanded that all employees who had been fired be immediately and unconditionally reinstated.

Additionally, it expressed concern about future victimization and demanded a public apology from the refinery’s management.

Toro urged stakeholders, the ILO, and the Ministry of Labour to launch an independent investigation.

He warned that potential national industrial action had been raised for all affiliates.

He said that no company, regardless of size, can violate workers’ rights.

PENGASSAN Orders a Nationwide Shutdown

PENGASSAN accused Dangote Refinery of unfair treatment of Nigerian workers and anti-labour practices.

The refinery was accused of “unjustly terminating over 800 Nigerian workers” by the association. They claimed that the company replaced them with “more than 2, 000 Indians,” raising questions about labor rights and the law’s application.

PENGASSAN mandated a total shutdown, which furthered the conflict. &nbsp,

The organization described the move as “an affront to all Nigerian workers,” according to a statement released by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa.

Read more about Dangote Refinery’s plan to shut down its crude supply in “Brazen Display Of Lawlessness.”

Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue with the union, the refinery chose “misinformation and propaganda.”

Members of PENGASSAN were instructed to immediately stop the refinery’s gas and crude supply.

According to the circular, “every control room, panel, and outfield operation must end immediately.”

Additionally, the directive mandated branch chairmen to stop vessel loading and shut down the supply valves for crude oil.

Members in field settings were instructed to end services and practice 24-hour prayers starting on Sunday. The union forewarned that the strike would continue until the fired workers were reinstated.

“All PENGASSAN employees, employees, and institutions must end their employment on Monday. One person’s injury is the same as one’s. No one is more powerful than our nation, the statement said.

Dangote Refinery Reacts to Retardance

However, Refinery’s Dangote&nbsp stated that the recent restructuring, which resulted in staff dismissals, was necessary “to prevent sabotage and ensure safety.”

The decision, according to the company, was intended to protect operations and “improve efficiency across refinery units.”

More than 3, 000 Nigerians are still employed, despite the fact that only a select few of them were affected.

Dangote pledged to continue hiring local talent while promoting the rights of workers’ freedom to choose whether or not to join a union.

The refinery criticized the decision as a “brazen display of lawlessness and criminality” in response to PENGASSAN’s directive as well.

No law allows PENGASSAN to stop receiving crude oil and gas, according to the business.

It emphasized that supply agreements must not be stymied and were signed with vendors, not the union.

The refinery continued, “This directive is criminal conduct and a path to chaos and anarchy.”

The organization charged the union with sabotage of the Nigerian government and its citizens. It warned that a shortage of supplies would cause cooking gas, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and aviation fuel.

Every Nigerian, rich or poor, needs these products, according to the refinery’s statement.

Additionally, it claimed that the strike might lead to lower refinery revenue.

According to the management, “Dangote Refinery contributes one of the most to state and national revenues.”

It demanded that the Federal Government step in and stop what it termed “reckless and irresponsible conduct.”

Dangote Refinery has previously engaged in labor union fighting.

Following his representation of President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Vice President Kashim Shettima has left New York, United States.

The Vice President is currently traveling to Germany where he is scheduled to hold strategic meetings with Deutsche Bank officials to discuss areas for partnership and intervention in Nigeria’s developmental initiatives, according to a statement released by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.

Nkwocha claimed that VP Shettima received praise from UN Secretary-General António Guterres for Nigeria’s application for a permanent UN Security Council seat during his UNGA 80 participation.

Read more about Shettima and the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for a permanent security council.

He also strengthened strategic alliances with the UK on trade, defense, and migration issues and presented Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to international investors.

The Vice President demanded control of Africa’s $ 700 billion mineral wealth, as well as initiatives for digital inclusion, in addition to President Tinubu’s national statement, which called for reforms at the UN, and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council.

He also worked with the Gates Foundation to expand the continent’s $3.4 trillion market, positioning Nigeria as the ideal hub for the expansion of the healthcare and education sectors.

Shettima was abducted by cabinet ministers who were members of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to the statement.