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In a bold and unprecedented move, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called for a nationwide strike, directing all its members to cease operations across various sectors of the oil and gas industry starting at midnight on Monday, September 29, 2025. The strike, which is expected to significantly disrupt Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, comes as a direct response to the controversial dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by the Dangote Refinery, a move the union has condemned as a gross violation of labor rights and an affront to the dignity of Nigerian workers.
The decision to embark on a nationwide strike was announced following an emergency meeting of PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council (NEC), which deliberated on what it described as an alarming and unjust action by the management of Dangote Refinery. According to the union, the sacked workers, many of whom were senior staff and skilled professionals, were dismissed solely for exercising their constitutional right to join PENGASSAN, a recognized labor union in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The union further alleged that these workers were replaced with over 2,000 foreign nationals, a development it labeled as an “enslavement of Nigerian workers” and a dangerous precedent that undermines the nation’s labor laws and economic sovereignty.
In a strongly worded statement issued by PENGASSAN’s leadership, the union expressed its outrage at what it perceives as a deliberate attempt to marginalize Nigerian workers in favor of foreign labor. “The mass sack of over 800 Nigerian workers by Dangote Refinery is not only a violation of their fundamental labor rights but also a direct attack on the principles of fairness and justice that our union stands for,” the statement read. “We cannot sit idly by while Nigerian workers are treated with such disdain and replaced with foreign nationals in their own country. This is an affront to our collective dignity and a dangerous precedent that we will not allow to stand.”
The union’s call to action is comprehensive, directing all its members across oil companies, institutions, and agencies to withdraw their services starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025. The strike action is expected to affect a wide range of operations within the oil and gas sector, including control room operations, panel operations, and the supply of crude oil and gas to the Dangote Refinery and its associated petrochemical facilities. PENGASSAN has also instructed its members to ramp down gas production and supply to the refinery, a move that could have significant implications for the facility’s operations and Nigeria’s broader energy sector.
In addition to the cessation of services, PENGASSAN has called for a nationwide night vigil to commence as soon as the strike begins. The vigil, according to the union, is intended to serve as a spiritual and symbolic act of solidarity among its members and a call for divine intervention in addressing the perceived injustices perpetrated by the Dangote Refinery. “The prayer point should include a call to God Almighty to give courage to those in authority to rein in Dangote and his co-travelers on the need to obey the laws of our country,” the union’s statement declared. “No man is bigger than our country. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
The decision to embark on a nationwide strike reflects the deep frustration and anger within PENGASSAN and the broader Nigerian labor community over what they see as a growing trend of exploitation and disregard for local workers in favor of foreign labor. The Dangote Refinery, a flagship project of the Dangote Group and one of the largest oil refineries in Africa, has been hailed as a symbol of Nigeria’s industrial ambition and a potential catalyst for economic growth. However, the recent sackings have cast a shadow over the project, raising questions about its commitment to supporting local labor and adhering to Nigeria’s labor laws.
The union’s allegations that the sacked workers were targeted for their affiliation with PENGASSAN have further fueled tensions, with the union accusing the refinery’s management of engaging in anti-union practices. Under Nigerian labor law, workers have the right to join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining without fear of victimization or dismissal. PENGASSAN argues that the sackings constitute a clear violation of these rights and has vowed to use all available means to seek justice for the affected workers.
The strike is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy. Nigeria is one of Africa’s largest oil producers, and disruptions in the sector can have significant ripple effects on government revenue, foreign exchange earnings, and the availability of petroleum products. The Dangote Refinery, which was commissioned to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products, relies heavily on crude oil and gas supplies from local and international oil companies (IOCs). PENGASSAN’s directive to ramp down these supplies could severely hamper the refinery’s operations, potentially leading to delays in production and further economic implications.
The union’s call for a complete withdrawal of services across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies underscores the scale and seriousness of the strike. PENGASSAN represents a significant portion of senior staff in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including engineers, technicians, and other professionals who play critical roles in the industry’s day-to-day operations. The cessation of their services is expected to disrupt not only the Dangote Refinery but also other oil companies and related institutions, amplifying the strike’s impact.
The night vigil, described by PENGASSAN as a spiritual exercise, is also a strategic move to galvanize public support and draw attention to the plight of the sacked workers. By framing the strike as a moral and patriotic struggle, the union aims to rally Nigerians behind its cause and pressure the government and other stakeholders to intervene. The reference to “Dangote and his co-travelers” in the union’s statement suggests a broader critique of powerful business interests that, in PENGASSAN’s view, prioritize profit over the welfare of Nigerian workers and the nation’s laws.
The timing of the strike is particularly significant, as Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, including high inflation, currency depreciation, and rising unemployment. The oil and gas sector remains a critical driver of the economy, and any disruption could exacerbate these challenges. At the same time, the strike highlights long-standing tensions between labor unions and private sector employers in Nigeria, particularly in industries where foreign investment and labor are prominent. The allegation that over 2,000 foreign nationals were brought in to replace the sacked Nigerian workers has added a nationalist dimension to the dispute, with PENGASSAN framing the issue as a matter of economic sovereignty and national pride.
The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, was designed to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the largest single-train refineries in the world. The project has been touted as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy sector, with the potential to reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel and create thousands of jobs. However, the recent sackings have raised concerns about the refinery’s labor practices and its commitment to creating opportunities for Nigerians. Critics argue that the replacement of local workers with foreign nationals undermines the government’s efforts to promote local content in the oil and gas industry, a policy that seeks to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the country’s natural resources.
PENGASSAN’s strike action is not the first time the union has taken a stand against perceived injustices in the oil and gas sector. The union has a history of advocating for the rights of its members and has previously engaged in strikes and protests to address issues such as unpaid salaries, poor working conditions, and violations of labor agreements. However, the scale of the current strike, which involves a complete withdrawal of services across the industry, marks a significant escalation and underscores the union’s determination to hold the Dangote Refinery accountable.
As the strike looms, there are growing calls for dialogue between PENGASSAN, the Dangote Group, and relevant government agencies to resolve the crisis and prevent further escalation. The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has a mandate to mediate labor disputes and ensure compliance with labor laws. However, it remains unclear whether the government will intervene in time to avert the strike or whether the situation will escalate further.
The union’s demand for the reinstatement of the sacked workers and an end to anti-union practices is likely to be a key sticking point in any negotiations. PENGASSAN has made it clear that it will not back down until its demands are met, stating, “An injury to one is an injury to all.” This slogan, a rallying cry for labor movements worldwide, reflects the union’s commitment to collective action and solidarity in the face of what it sees as an injustice.
The broader implications of the strike extend beyond the oil and gas sector. Nigeria’s economy is heavily dependent on oil revenue, and any disruption in the sector could have ripple effects on other industries, including transportation, manufacturing, and power generation. The Dangote Refinery, as a major player in the energy sector, is closely watched by investors and policymakers, and a prolonged strike could undermine confidence in the project and Nigeria’s business environment.
Public reaction to the strike has been mixed, with some Nigerians expressing support for PENGASSAN’s stance and others voicing concerns about the potential economic fallout. Social media platforms, particularly X, have been abuzz with discussions about the strike, with hashtags such as #PENGASSANStrike and #DangoteRefinery trending in Nigeria. Some users have praised the union for standing up for Nigerian workers, while others have criticized the timing of the strike, arguing that it could exacerbate the country’s economic challenges.
As the clock ticks down to the start of the strike, all eyes are on the Dangote Group and the Nigerian government to see how they will respond to PENGASSAN’s demands. The union has called for calm among its members and urged them to remain united in their resolve to seek justice for the sacked workers. “We are fighting for the soul of our nation and the dignity of our workers,” the union’s statement concluded. “This is a battle we cannot afford to lose.”
The coming days will be critical in determining the outcome of this labor dispute and its impact on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. For now, PENGASSAN’s members are preparing to down tools and take to the streets, signaling their determination to challenge what they see as an injustice and to defend the rights of Nigerian workers. The nation waits with bated breath to see how this high-stakes confrontation will unfold.
