By Ola Williams-
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has stopped the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from embarking on a planned strike and cutting crude and gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, ruling on an ex-parte motion on Monday, September 29, 2025, restrained PENGASSAN chapters in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission from executing threats to disrupt supply lines.
“The balance of convenience is in favour of the Applicants,” Justice Subilim held. “The continuation of the strike would irreparably damage its business and cripple the provision of essential services to the Nigerian public. It is in the interest of justice to restrain the Respondents in order to preserve industrial peace.”
The restraining order, which will last for seven days, is to be served immediately on the defendants along with the motion on notice. The case has been adjourned to October 13, 2025, for further hearing.
Counsel to Dangote Refinery, George Ibrahim, SAN, argued that the planned industrial action was capable of plunging Nigeria into an energy crisis. He told the court:
> “The refinery was built with over $20 billion to solve Nigeria’s lingering energy problems. If this strike is allowed, it will jeopardise the livelihood of millions of Nigerians, disrupt fuel supply, and negatively impact the economy.”
Ibrahim accused the union of acting on “false claims” about the company’s reorganisation exercise. He said only a few workers were affected after management discovered acts of sabotage threatening safety at the plant.
“The allegation that Dangote Refinery laid off over 800 workers for joining PENGASSAN is untrue,” Ibrahim said. “Our client has more than 3,000 Nigerians in its workforce. The reorganisation was purely based on safety and operational concerns.”
PENGASSAN, through its General Secretary, Comrade Lamumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, had earlier written to the Minister of Petroleum, Gas, warning that the union would “bring the refinery to its knees” if the affected staff were not reinstated. In a September 26 letter, the union accused the refinery of anti-labour practices and victimisation.
Dangote Refinery insists it respects workers’ constitutional right to unionise. But the company told the court that directives by PENGASSAN to halt crude and gas supply amounted to sabotage of national interest.
Justice Subilim’s interim order is aimed at preventing disruption until the substantive suit is heard.
