In a significant legal move, the National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order preventing the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and its affiliates from proceeding with a planned strike action that could have severely disrupted operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The court’s decision, delivered on Monday, September 29, 2025, by Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, followed an ex-parte application filed by the Dangote Refinery. The court ruled that the planned action — including cutting off crude oil and gas supply to the refinery — would cause irreparable harm to the company’s operations and disrupt essential services vital to Nigeria’s energy sector and economy.
What Prompted the Legal Action?
The conflict stems from an internal re-organisation at the Dangote Refinery. According to Dangote’s legal team, the company had recently terminated the employment of a small number of workers due to incidents of sabotage and safety concerns at its plant.
However, PENGASSAN interpreted these layoffs — reportedly involving over 800 staff — as a retaliation against employees who had joined the union. On September 26, 2025, the union issued a public statement condemning the layoffs as “anti-labour” practices and vowed to take action if the affected workers were not reinstated.
PENGASSAN then directed its members working with critical petroleum agencies — including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission — to cut crude and gas supplies to the Dangote Refinery.
Dangote Responds in Court
Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria George Ibrahim of the Ogwu James Onoja law firm, the Dangote Group approached the court, seeking an interim injunction to prevent the union and its affiliates from carrying out their threat.
The legal team argued that:
• The refinery plays a vital role in Nigeria’s energy supply and any disruption would negatively affect millions of Nigerians.
• The plant, which reportedly cost over $20 billion to build, provides essential services and contributes significantly to the national economy.
• The union’s actions amounted to a sabotage of national interest, especially without first engaging in dispute resolution mechanisms required by law.
The court agreed, ruling that the balance of convenience favoured Dangote. Justice Subilim granted the interim injunction and ordered that:
• The restraining order remain in place for seven days.
• All defendants be served immediately.
• A full hearing on the motion would take place on October 13, 2025.
What’s Next?
With the temporary court order in place, PENGASSAN and its affiliated regulatory bodies are barred from halting crude or gas supply to the refinery — at least for now.
The upcoming court hearing on October 13 will determine whether a longer-term injunction will be granted. If the court rules in Dangote’s favour again, it could set a precedent for how labour disputes are handled in the critical oil and gas sector, especially where national infrastructure is involved.
The Bigger Picture
This case touches on a delicate balance between workers’ rights to unionise and strike, and the broader public interest in maintaining energy stability. While PENGASSAN insists it is defending its members against unfair labour practices, the Dangote Group maintains it acted strictly in response to safety and operational concerns — not union activity.
As Nigeria continues its efforts to stabilise domestic refining and reduce fuel imports, the outcome of this legal tussle could have far-reaching implications for labour relations in the oil and gas sector.
Stay tuned for updates as the case develops.
