The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has slammed Vice President Kashim Shettima over his remarks condemning the union’s recent strike against the Dangote Refinery.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said the union would not hesitate to take similar industrial action if its members were victimised again, stressing that the nation is not only greater than the union but also larger than Dangote and the Presidency.
The controversy began after PENGASSAN shut down key oil and gas installations last week to protest the alleged dismissal of about 800 workers by Dangote Refinery for joining the union. Although the company denied the figure, it admitted that a few employees were sacked as part of an internal reorganisation.
Following the strike—which disrupted oil production and reduced power generation—the Federal Government intervened, and the union suspended its action after the Dangote Group reportedly agreed to redeploy the affected workers to other subsidiaries.
However, despite the resolution, cooking gas prices have remained high, selling at about ₦2,000 per kilogram in Lagos and other states compared to the pre-crisis price of ₦900.
Shettima Defends Dangote, Warns Labour
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Vice President Shettima described Dangote as “an institution and a pillar of Nigeria’s economic development,” warning that no one must hold the nation to ransom.
“Aliko Dangote is not just an individual; he is an institution. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN or any other group,” Shettima declared, urging both labour and the private sector to act with patriotism and restraint.
He argued that Dangote’s $10bn investment in the country should be protected, noting that “if he had invested the same in Amazon or Google, he might be worth $80bn today.”
Union Fires Back
Reacting, Osifo said PENGASSAN’s duty was to defend its members’ rights and would not back down from that responsibility.
“Of course, the nation is bigger than PENGASSAN, but it’s also bigger than Dangote and the Presidency,” Osifo stated. “If our members are unjustly treated again, we will respond in the same way.”
He dismissed suggestions that the government could dissolve the union, saying, “Does the law prohibit workers’ right to strike?”
General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa also weighed in, questioning, “Is Nigeria not bigger than any individual or institution?”
Economic Reform Updates
At the summit, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said the government’s reforms since May 2023 had stabilised the economy and restored fiscal discipline.
He projected a 4.6% GDP growth in 2025, citing gains from fuel subsidy removal, forex liberalisation, and improved domestic production. The 2026–2030 National Development Plan, he added, aims to build a $1tn economy by 2030.
Also, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, emphasised that the government was now focused on translating trade policies into tangible results that boost exports, create jobs, and enhance Nigeria’s position in global value chains.
Kaduna Protesters Back Dangote
In Kaduna, hundreds of protesters under the banner Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP) marched in support of Dangote Refinery, accusing PENGASSAN and “oil import cartels” of sabotaging Nigeria’s drive for self-sufficiency in petroleum refining.
Carrying placards reading “Protect Local Refining” and “End Fuel Import Cartel”, the protesters demanded that President Bola Tinubu ensure local refineries get crude oil at the same rate as foreign refiners.
“This struggle is against the cartel that destroyed our public refineries and now wants to strangle Dangote’s refinery,” said PANEP leader Igwe Ude-Umanta.
He accused PENGASSAN of “economic terrorism” and urged the government to impose tariffs on fuel imports to protect local industries.
Union Dissolves Gas Branch
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN’s national leadership has dissolved its Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) and Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) chapter for allegedly failing to cut gas supply to the Dangote refinery during the strike.
In a petition, 163 affected members appealed the decision, saying the executives had tried to enforce the strike directive but were hindered by safety concerns and the presence of security forces at gas facilities. They described allegations of bribery as “false and baseless.”
Dangote Thanks Tinubu
In a statement, Dangote Petroleum Refinery expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “timely intervention” in resolving the crisis, crediting the efforts of top officials, including the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi, and NIA boss Mohammed Mohammed.
The refinery praised ministers Mohammed Dingyadi, Wale Edun, Abubakar Bagudu, and Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for “their patriotism and tireless efforts” in restoring stability to the energy sector.
