Nigeria’s oil workers’ union, PENGASSAN, has declared an indefinite nationwide strike following the mass dismissal of its members by Dangote Refinery, one of Africa’s largest energy projects.
The union’s National Executive Council (NEC) resolved after an emergency meeting that members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies must withdraw services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29.
PENGASSAN also directed members in field locations to halt duties by 6:00 a.m. Sunday, September 28, and begin a 24-hour prayer vigil. The strike is expected to affect operations in control rooms, panel operations, outfield activities, and the supply of gas and crude to the Dangote Refinery and its petrochemicals arm.
“No intervention whatsoever will be entertained across field locations except where safety of personnel and assets is at risk,” the NEC said in a communique, adding that international oil company (IOC) branches must ramp down supply to the refinery.
The union accused billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote of flouting Nigerian labour laws and warned that “no man is bigger than our country.” It called on the government to rein in the refinery, which has been touted as a game-changer for Africa’s fuel supply but has faced recurring controversies.
The Dangote Refinery, commissioned in 2023, is the largest single-train refinery in the world and a key part of Nigeria’s energy transition strategy. A prolonged disruption in operations could ripple across West Africa, where the plant has begun to position itself as a major fuel supplier.
