The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has stepped in to mediate the dispute between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). In a statement, NUPRC Chief Executive Officer Gbenga Komolafe urged both sides to engage in dialogue to prevent any disruption to the country’s energy supply. He stressed that, even though the issues pertain to mid‑ and downstream affairs, a resolution must serve the national interest.
The conflict began when the Dangote Refinery dismissed more than 800 workers, prompting PENGASSAN to announce a strike on Sunday. The union instructed its members to halt gas and crude supplies to the 650,000‑barrel‑per‑day refinery with immediate effect. In response, the refinery labeled the union’s actions as economic sabotage and called on the Nigerian government to intervene.
As the regulator overseeing Nigeria’s petroleum industry, the NUPRC aims to mitigate the dispute’s potential impact on the energy sector. Komolafe’s statement highlighted the need to find common ground and avoid measures that could jeopardize the nation’s energy supply. The strike carries significant implications, given the refinery’s crucial role in meeting Nigeria’s energy demand.
The government is likely to face heightened pressure to address the concerns of both workers and industry stakeholders while maintaining broader economic stability. With the NUPRC’s intervention, there is hope for an amicable resolution that prevents disruption to the energy supply and promotes sector stability.
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