The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued a temporary restraining order stopping the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and other parties from cutting crude and gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted the order on Monday following an ex parte application brought by the refinery.
The ruling restrains not only PENGASSAN but also the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission. The court emphasized that any disruption of gas or crude supply would have dire consequences for the refinery’s operations and for the wider Nigerian economy.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria George Ibrahim argued the application on behalf of Dangote Refinery. He told the court that the company is a licensed petroleum producer and distributor providing essential services to the Nigerian economy and the general public.
Ibrahim highlighted recent sabotage incidents at the refinery by some employees, raising “grave health concern and safety of human lives.” According to him, management carried out a reorganization and relieved some staff of their jobs, communicating the decision through a memo dated September 25, 2025.
The refinery was accused online of sacking workers because they joined PENGASSAN, an allegation it denied. Ibrahim stressed that the company has over 3,000 Nigerians in its workforce and that only a “negligible number” were affected by the reorganization.
He told the court that PENGASSAN, through a September 26, 2025 letter signed by General Secretary Comrade Lamumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, wrote to the Minister of Petroleum, Gas. In the letter, the union warned that unless Dangote recalled the dismissed workers, described by PENGASSAN as “over 800”—it would embark on action to “force the Claimant to its knees.”
Justice Subilim ruled that the balance of convenience favored the refinery, noting that the continuation of strike action would cause irreparable harm to the business. He said halting crude and gas supply would “cripple the provision of essential services to the Nigerian public.”
The judge emphasized that preserving industrial peace was in the interest of justice and the Nigerian economy. He granted the restraining order for seven days, directing that the defendants be served immediately alongside a motion on notice.
The restraining order is an interim measure and will expire in a week. Justice Subilim fixed October 13, 2025 for hearing on the substantive motion on notice, which will determine whether the order should be extended.
Until then, Dangote Refinery is shielded from potential disruptions to its crude and gas supplies, ensuring continued production. The outcome of the case will be closely watched as it touches on labor rights, energy supply security, and Nigeria’s economic stability.
