The industrial dispute rocking the Dangote Refinery has escalated as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) declared full solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in the ongoing struggle for workers’ right to unionise.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, on Monday, PENGASSAN accused the refinery’s management of resisting unionisation since inception, despite several diplomatic interventions.
“All diplomatic efforts to persuade the company’s management have so far not yielded the desired result. It is with deep concern that PENGASSAN observes the increasing resistance to unionisation at the Dangote Refinery, as the continued denial of workers’ rights will no longer be tolerated going forward,” the union stated.
NUPENG had earlier threatened to halt fuel loading nationwide over claims that Dangote Refinery was preventing tanker drivers, recruited to manage its fleet of 4,000 trucks, from joining the union. PENGASSAN has now pledged its “unwavering solidarity” with NUPENG, warning that unless the matter is resolved, it may be forced to join in shutting down refinery operations.
“Should the ongoing situation persist without a resolution, PENGASSAN will be left with no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations as a last resort to protect our members’ rights and interests,” the statement warned.
The senior staff union reiterated its full support for NUPENG’s demand for the unionisation of all refinery employees, not just tanker drivers, stressing that the right to organise is protected under Nigerian law and international conventions.
“The right of workers to organise and collectively bargain is not only a fundamental human right but also essential for promoting fair labour practices, ensuring safety, and upholding dignity in the workplace,” PENGASSAN said.
The union insisted that total unionisation across Dangote Refinery and its affiliates is non-negotiable, adding that continued denial of workers’ rights would have ripple effects beyond the refinery, potentially destabilising the wider oil and gas sector.
PENGASSAN urged urgent intervention from stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to prevent a major industrial crisis.
“Failure to recognise and respect the rights of workers to unionise will have consequences that extend beyond Dangote’s refinery workplace, thereby impacting all facets of our industry. We therefore urge all stakeholders to engage in immediate and constructive dialogue to address these pressing issues,” the union added.
Amid growing tension, the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has summoned a meeting of all stakeholders in Abuja to mediate and resolve the crisis.
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