PENGASSAN Fires Back as Shettima Defends Dangote

By Naija Enquirer Staff

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has reacted to comments by Vice President Kashim Shettima defending the Dangote Refinery, insisting that the union acted within its mandate to protect workers’ rights.

Union Defends Strike Action

PENGASSAN said it would repeat its industrial action if similar circumstances arise, following a recent nationwide strike over the alleged dismissal of 800 workers at the Dangote Refinery for joining the union. The industrial action disrupted oil and gas production and caused fuel queues across the country before being suspended after government intervention.

The Vice President, during the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, had described Aliko Dangote as “an institution and a pillar of Nigeria’s economy,” warning that no one should hold the nation to ransom over labour disputes.

“Aliko Dangote is not an individual; he’s an institution… It’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN,” Shettima said.

‘Nigeria Is Also Bigger Than Dangote’ – PENGASSAN

Responding, PENGASSAN’s National President, Festus Osifo, maintained that the nation was also bigger than Dangote and the Presidency, adding that the union would always defend its members against unfair dismissal.

“Of course the nation is bigger than PENGASSAN, the way it’s bigger than Dangote and the Presidency. We have a mandate to protect the jobs of our members, and that we will discharge whenever the need arises,” Osifo said.

He added that if similar actions were taken against union members again, PENGASSAN would “respond the same way.”

Protests in Kaduna

Meanwhile, protesters in Kaduna, under the banner of Partners for National Economic Progress, marched in solidarity with Dangote Refinery, accusing PENGASSAN of attempting to sabotage Nigeria’s local refining efforts.

Carrying placards with messages such as “Protect Local Refining” and “End Fuel Import Cartel,” the group urged the Federal Government to protect domestic investors and ensure local refineries have access to crude oil under fair conditions.

“This struggle is against the cartel that destroyed our public refineries and now wants to strangle the Dangote refinery. We will not let them succeed,” said Igwe Ude-Umanta, one of the movement’s leaders.

PENGASSAN Dissolves Gas Unit

Following the dispute, PENGASSAN reportedly dissolved its Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) and Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) chapter for failing to fully enforce a gas supply shutdown to the Dangote Refinery during the strike.

The affected executives, however, petitioned the national leadership, arguing that they faced safety and operational challenges as well as heavy security presence that prevented total compliance with the strike directive.

“Our leaders did more than enough to carry out the directive, despite risks to their lives. The allegations of collusion and bribery are false,” the petition stated.

Dangote Commends Tinubu’s Intervention

In a statement, Dangote Petroleum Refinery expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his “timely intervention” through ministers and security agencies, which it said helped restore stability in the energy sector.

“We remain grateful to the President and senior officials who worked tirelessly to avert the disruption of Nigeria’s energy sector by anarchists and agents of darkness,” the refinery stated.

The company reaffirmed its commitment to national development and its role in supporting Nigeria’s industrial and energy goals.