By Bayo Olupohunda,Dave Ibemere

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The fight between Dangote Refinery and union leaders has taken a fresh twist after a nationwide strike was declaredPENGASSAN has instructed members across the country to withdraw services in protest against the dismissal of 800 workers at Dangote RefineryIn a message to Legit.ng, Dangote Refinery described the directives from PENGASSAN as a direct affront to the Nigerian economyCHECK OUT: Discover How to Work with Brands, Earn from Affiliate Links, and Tap into Ad Revenue — Because Your Content Deserves to Pay OffLegit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of experience in business journalism, with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy, stocks, and general market trends.Fuel prices in Nigeria set to change as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) announced a nationwide strike.The strike is in protest against Dangote Refinery over what it described as the unlawful dismissal of over 800 of its members.Petrol price in Nigeria is set to change again in Nigeria
Photo: Bloomberg/contributorSource: Getty ImagesWorkers announce strikeThe strike action was announced following an emergency meeting of the PENGASSAN National Executive Council (NEC) held on Saturday, September 27.Read alsoFuel crisis looms as PENGASSAN cuts gas, crude oil supply to Dangote RefineryFERA slams PENGASSAN over “Fraudulent” allegations against Dangote RefineryFG’s national asset sale sparks outcry: NUPENG, PENGASSAN warn of NNPC collapsePAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram – get the most important news directly in your favourite app!The union alleged that Dangote Refinery violated Nigerian labour laws, the Constitution, and international conventions by dismissing workers for joining PENGASSAN, calling the move an attack on workers’ rights and a direct affront to organised labour, BusinessDay reports.The NEC declared:“The unilateral action to sack over 800 members of our Association for joining PENGASSAN is an affront to all workers in Nigeria and a deliberate violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and ILO conventions.”The union also accused the refinery of promoting unfair labour practices, including hiring foreign workers over Nigerians.PENGASSAN said:“That no man or company, no matter how highly placed, is above the law and cannot be called to order by national institutions, adding that the development was “a show of disloyalty to the country” and could set “a dangerous precedence.”The NEC further argued that the displacement of Nigerian staff by foreign workers was unjust and had left hundreds of families in hardship. Read alsoNNPC begins work on another Nigerian refinery, Dangote set to get strong competitionI began DAPPMAN: Otedola wades into Dangote, depot owners’ faceoff, writes strongly worded letterDangote gives reasons for petrol price hike, makes changes againDangote Refinery’s responseIn a strongly worded reaction shared with Legit.ng, a source close to Dangote Refinery described the union’s directive as “a brazen, shocking display of lawlessness and criminality.”The statement said:“Absolutely no law gives PENGASSAN the right to direct its branches to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or at all. “Those supply contracts were not entered into with PENGASSAN; they were entered into with third-party vendors and suppliers.”Dangote refinery warned that the directive amounted to “economic sabotage” with grave implications for Nigerians, as it could disrupt the supply of aviation fuel, petrol, diesel, kerosene and cooking gas, all critical products used daily by households and businesses.It added:”Beyond the inherent lawlessness, the directive amounts to economic sabotage at multiple levels. In plain terms, PENGASSAN has ordered its branches to disrupt and halt the supply of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery to Nigerians. Read alsoWhy FG must tackle high-level oil theft immediately, group speaks outDangote Refinery halts fuel sales to unregistered marketers, unveils new delivery ruleDangote ‘exposes’ depot owners’ requests, dares them to sue him if he is lying”The products affected would include aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel, and cooking gas—all essential products used by Nigerians from all walks of life. Under what circumstances can such an action be justified? None whatsoever. “The pressing question is: in whose interest is PENGASSAN seeking to inflict such anarchic and destructive disruption on Nigerian society? Certainly not in the interest of the Nigerian State or its people.”The refinery called on the federal government and security agencies to intervene, urging authorities to prevent “anarchy and mayhem” and to ensure PENGASSAN respects due process.The statement stressed:”Furthermore, Dangote Refinery is one of the largest contributors to government revenue at both federal and state levels. That contribution is now under threat and could be halted for as long as PENGASSAN’s illegal directive is implemented.”Dangote refinery suspends petrol sales in nairaEarlier, Legit.ng reported that Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has suspended the sale of petrol in naira from Sunday, September 28, 2025.Read alsoProtesters storm EFCC headquarters, demand arrest, prosecution of ex-NNPCL boss KyariDepot owners protest as Dangote slashes petrol price by N259Drama as soldiers deployed on Nigerian campus as lecturers attempt to disrupt examThe company said the decision followed the depletion of its crude-for-naira allocation, which had enabled domestic currency transactions in recent months.The suspension has triggered movements in depot prices. ATTENTION: Help Shape the Future of Legit.ng — Leave Feedback and Win Copywriting Course Access. Source: Legit.ng