Restraining Order Against PENGASSAN Over Industrial Action
A National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over its planned industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. The court’s decision came after an ex-parte application by Dangote Refinery, which sought to prevent any disruption to the supply of crude oil and gas.
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim, who presided over the case, specifically restrained the defendants, including Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), from cutting crude and gas supply to Dangote Refinery. The application was filed by George Ibrahim from Ogwu James Onoja law firm in Abuja, seeking an interim injunction to stop any potential industrial action that could harm the refinery’s operations.
Ibrahim argued that the Applicant, Dangote Refinery, is a crucial player in Nigeria’s economy, providing essential services that impact the public. He highlighted that recent incidents of sabotage at the refinery had led to a re-organisation exercise, resulting in the disengagement of some staff. This decision, he noted, was communicated to employees through a memo dated September 25, 2025.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim emphasized that the balance of convenience favored the Applicant, as the continuation of the threatened industrial action would irreparably damage the business and undermine essential services. The judge ruled that it was in the interest of justice to preserve industrial peace and ensure the continuous provision of services pending further legal proceedings.
The restraining order was granted and directed to be served on the defendants immediately. The court also set the order to last for seven days only, with the matter adjourned to October 13 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
Ongoing Reconciliatory Efforts
Despite the court’s decision, a reconciliatory meeting convened by the Federal Government to resolve the rift between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery was still ongoing as of the time of this report. The meeting, attended by the leadership of PENGASSAN led by its President, Festus Osifo, and representatives of Dangote Refinery, aimed to end the dispute.
The union leaders were represented by the General-Secretary of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Toro, while the Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, led other government officials. Daily Trust reported that the federal government had summoned the leadership of PENGASSAN and the management of Dangote Refinery to an emergency meeting over the ongoing conflict.
However, the meeting, originally scheduled for 2:00pm, started late due to the delayed arrival of key stakeholders. It later moved into a closed-door session. During the meeting, tensions escalated, with a shouting match reportedly heard from the conference room. A source revealed that Dangote Refinery representatives insisted it would be difficult to bring back those who had been dismissed, referring to them as saboteurs, which angered the labor leaders present.
NLC Mobilizes Unions Against Dangote
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has begun mobilizing its affiliate unions, warning that it will join forces to fight against Dangote Group for allegedly violating labor laws. In an internal memo signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the organization accused the company of violating Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and ILO Conventions 87 and 98, arguing that it treats national labor laws with contempt.
The memo described the ongoing conflict with PENGASSAN and NUPENG as a symptom of a deeper issue—a “capitalist pathology” of union-busting and worker exploitation. It called for immediate and full mobilization of all unions and workers, urging them to prepare for a comprehensive engagement with the Dangote Group.
The NLC outlined several demands, including the unconditional respect for workers’ rights to join unions freely, the cessation of intimidation and union-busting activities, and submission to the authority of labor laws and institutions. Each union was instructed to set up an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours.
The memo concluded with a strong call for unity, stating that the resistance of organized labor must meet the impunity of the Dangote Group. It emphasized that the blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built the conglomerate and that they would not allow it to become a monument to their oppression.
