The Dangote Group has strongly rejected a directive by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) ordering its members to cut crude oil and gas supply to the refinery, describing the move as “unlawful, reckless, and a direct threat to the national economy.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the company warned that enforcing the order—dated September 26, 2025 and circulated to branches in TotalEnergies, Seplat, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC)—would amount to economic sabotage.
Dangote cautioned that such action could disrupt the production and distribution of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and cooking gas, worsening hardship for households and businesses nationwide.
The refinery stressed that PENGASSAN lacks the legal authority to interfere in supply contracts signed with third-party vendors, adding that Nigerian law does not permit unions to take “self-help measures” that could destabilize the oil and gas sector.
“This is a brazen, albeit shocking, display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN. No law empowers the union to direct branches to ‘cut off’ gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery. Such actions amount to criminal interference in private contracts and threaten national stability,” the statement read.
Dangote further accused PENGASSAN of contradicting its own pledge to seek legal redress, instead issuing what it described as “illicit orders” that could cripple a strategic national asset and undermine investor confidence.
The company appealed for urgent government intervention, warning that Nigerians would bear the brunt of any fuel supply disruptions if the directive were enforced.
“The refinery must not be held hostage. The ripple effect on fuel availability, prices, and economic stability would be severe if crude and gas supplies are disrupted,” the group stated.
The clash marks an escalation of tensions following the refinery’s recent dismissal of over 800 workers, which PENGASSAN insists was in retaliation for unionisation efforts.
