The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has shut down operations at the Dangote Refinery Plant in Lagos following the dismissal of more than 800 employees.
The union announced on Sunday, September 28, 2025, that the refinery plant had been fully shut, while Train 2 of the fertiliser plant was also closed and Train 1 was operating at only 60 percent capacity. The diesel plant remains functional.
PENGASSAN said its members were directed to withdraw services beginning 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, including staff working in control rooms, panel operations, and field activities.
It further ordered all branches across the oil and gas industry to withdraw services from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29.
The shutdown follows allegations that Dangote Refinery management terminated the employment of hundreds of Nigerian staff and replaced them with foreign workers, particularly from India, some of whom the union claimed lacked proper immigration documents.
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PENGASSAN accused the company of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organization conventions.
The union also directed an immediate halt to crude oil and gas supply to the refinery and petrochemical operations and instructed international oil companies to reduce gas production and suspend supply to Dangote facilities.
Industry observers warn that the strike could trigger nationwide fuel shortages and disrupt power generation if gas supply to thermal plants is cut off.
Federal authorities have been urged to intervene to prevent a wider energy crisis.