Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has issued a restraining order preventing the Petroleum, Natural Gas Workers Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from embarking on its planned industrial action against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
The order, granted on an ex parte application filed by Dangote Refinery, also restrained the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum, and the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission from cutting crude oil and gas supply to the refinery.
The application was argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), George Ibrahim, who secured the interim relief. Ibrahim explained that the refinery provides essential services to the Nigerian economy and public, and therefore, any disruption would have grave consequences.
He stated that sabotage incidents at the refinery raised health and safety concerns, leading management to carry out a reorganisation. This reorganisation resulted in some staff being laid off, a decision communicated in a circular dated September 25, 2025.
However, reports emerged on September 26, alleging that workers were dismissed for joining PENGASSAN. The refinery swiftly refuted the claims, insisting it was not against unionisation, stressing that it employs over 3,000 Nigerians, with only a negligible number affected by the reorganisation.
The court was informed that on the same day, PENGASSAN, through its General Secretary, Comrade Lamumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, warned the Minister of Petroleum and Gas that it would mobilise action to compel the refinery to reinstate over 800 staff allegedly affected by the exercise.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim noted that the balance of convenience was in favour of the refinery since the strike could irreparably damage its operations and disrupt essential services nationwide. He stressed that restraining the defendants was necessary to preserve industrial peace pending the hearing of the substantive suit.
The restraining order, which will last seven days, must be served on all defendants alongside a motion on notice. The case has been adjourned to October 13 for hearing.
What you should know
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, regarded as Africa’s largest refinery project, is crucial to Nigeria’s quest for fuel self-sufficiency.
The restraining order underscores the refinery’s importance to the economy, while also highlighting rising tensions between its management and workers’ union, PENGASSAN, over staff welfare and rights to unionise.
