A recent threat by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to shut down the Dangote Refinery has prompted the Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum to call for a federal investigation. The Forum alleges that PENGASSAN’s actions are intended to sabotage Nigeria’s energy independence, which the refinery is designed to achieve.
The $20 billion Dangote Refinery is a critical national asset aimed at reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, stabilising prices and creating jobs. It currently employs over 3,000 Nigerians and continues to recruit, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and safety.
PENGASSAN’s threat to picket the refinery follows a recent mass sacking of workers, raising questions about the union’s motives. The Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum accuses PENGASSAN of a history of resisting reforms and blocking privatisation, which it says contributed to the collapse of the public refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna. Together with the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), PENGASSAN’s actions have previously led to fuel scarcity, economic instability and national embarrassment.
Despite a court order restraining industrial action, PENGASSAN’s threat to picket the refinery has been criticised as “union overreach” and a violation of the rule of law. The Forum argues that those who would benefit from the refinery’s failure are fuel importers and rent‑seekers, not the Nigerian people.
The Concerned Nigerian Consumers Forum has urged PENGASSAN to engage in dialogue, respect the courts and prioritise the national interest. It has also called on the ministries of Labour, Petroleum Resources and Justice to intervene and stop the threat to shut down the refinery. The government is expected to send a clear message that industrial blackmail will not be tolerated, as Nigerians have already endured fuel queues and economic hardship. The success of the Dangote Refinery is seen as essential for the country’s energy independence and economic stability.
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