The National Industrial Court, Abuja, has restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from cutting crude and gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
The interim order, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, followed an ex-parte application filed by the refinery’s lawyers, led by Ogwu Onoja (SAN).
The court barred PENGASSAN, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) from halting supply or embarking on any action that could cripple refinery operations.
Justice Subilim ruled that the balance of convenience was in favor of Dangote Refinery, warning that the planned strike would “irreparably damage” its operations and disrupt essential services to the Nigerian public. The matter was adjourned to October 13, with the interim order valid for seven days.
Dangote’s Position
Dangote Refinery told the court it had to reorganize operations due to acts of sabotage raising health and safety concerns. This led to the dismissal of some staff, which it insists was not linked to union membership. The company maintains it employs over 3,000 Nigerians, and only a small number of workers were affected.
It accused PENGASSAN of “erroneously” framing the layoffs as anti-labour practices and directing members in NNPCL, NMDPRA, and NUPRC to halt crude and gas supply to the refinery. The company argued that such action would sabotage a $20 billion investment critical to Nigeria’s energy stability.
Union Response
PENGASSAN, which has claimed nearly 997 workers were unlawfully sacked, began a nationwide strike on Monday, barricading offices of NNPCL, NMDPRA, and NUPRC in Abuja.
Reacting to the court injunction, the union said it had not been served any order.
“Our attention has been drawn to rumours of a court injunction restraining our noble exercise. We have not been served anything of such. Court orders are not served via social media,” PENGASSAN declared, directing members to continue the strike.
NLC Joins In
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered its affiliate unions to fully mobilize for a nationwide strike against what it described as Dangote Group’s “systemic anti-labour practices.”
NLC President Joe Ajaero accused the conglomerate of union-busting, worker exploitation, and violating ILO Conventions 87 and 98 as well as Section 40 of Nigeria’s Constitution.
“The time for pleading and fruitless dialogue is over. The moment for decisive, collective action is now,” the memo read.
The NLC instructed all affiliate unions to unionize Dangote workers nationwide and set up mobilisation committees within 72 hours to coordinate a full-scale strike.
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