The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has responded strongly to comments made by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who condemned its industrial action linked to the dispute with Dangote Refinery.
PENGASSAN declared that it would take similar action if its members face termination again. This stance emerged amid protests in Kaduna, where demonstrators accused the union of attempting to sabotage Nigeria’s local refining efforts.
Last week, PENGASSAN shut down critical oil and gas facilities following allegations that Dangote Refinery dismissed 800 workers for joining the union. Dangote refuted this, claiming only a few workers involved in sabotage were sacked as part of restructuring.
The strike led to significant disruptions in oil and gas production and a decline in power supply, prompting government intervention that temporarily restored order. The union suspended the strike after the government directed Dangote to redeploy the dismissed workers elsewhere within the company. Despite the resumption of fuel supplies, cooking gas prices remain high, with Lagos selling at around N2,000 per kilogram instead of the usual N900.
During the Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima praised Dangote as an institution vital to Nigeria’s economy. He emphasized Nigeria’s greater importance over PENGASSAN, urging caution and patriotism from labor and the private sector, warning against holding the nation hostage over minor disputes.
In response, PENGASSAN’s National President, Festus Osifo, stated that the nation is bigger than Dangote and the presidency, reaffirming their commitment to protecting members’ jobs, even if it means striking again. Osifo added that if similar issues arose, the union would deploy the same strike tactics.
Reacting to claims that the government might dissolve PENGASSAN due to its strike actions, Osifo questioned whether laws prohibit workers’ right to strike. The union’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, reaffirmed that Nigeria’s interests surpass any individual or institution.
Government officials, including the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted ongoing reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy, boosting domestic production, and expanding trade. Bagudu projected GDP growth of 4.6% in 2025 and a target to reach a $1 trillion economy by 2030, emphasizing policies that support agriculture, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Oduwole stressed the importance of translating trade policies into tangible benefits for exporters and manufacturers, including efforts to reduce costs and streamline procedures.
Olaniyi Yusuf, Chair of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, warned that Nigeria’s economic stability hinges on how well the country supports its domestic investors. He called for deepening reforms in industrialization, infrastructure, investor confidence, fiscal sustainability, inclusion, and security.
In Kaduna, protests took a different tone, with demonstrators rallying in support of the Dangote refinery and accusing powerful importers and elements within the union of sabotaging Nigeria’s refining ambitions. Under the theme “National Unity Against Sabotage,” the protesters called on President Tinubu to intervene, demanding fair crude oil pricing for local refineries and the protection of Nigeria’s emerging refining sector from sabotage and price manipulation. They praised the impact of Dangote’s refinery on fuel prices and warned that undermining it could damage investor confidence and the economy.
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN’s national leadership dissolved the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) and Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited chapters for allegedly failing to shut off gas supply to Dangote during the crisis. The affected units appealed the decision, citing operational hazards and technical constraints that prevented a full shutdown. They argued that only partial measures were taken and that the union’s decision was based on misinformation.
The union’s members also defended the actions of their colleagues involved in the shutdown attempt, emphasizing the risks faced and the efforts made under challenging conditions. They called on PENGASSAN leadership to review the sanctions and ensure fair treatment, warning that punishing loyal members could weaken union solidarity.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his timely intervention, which it credits with restoring stability to the energy sector. The company praised government officials and security agencies for their efforts to prevent disruptions and safeguard Nigeria’s energy infrastructure.
This ongoing tension underscores the complex intersection of labor rights, national economic interests, and the drive toward self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
