The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has responded strongly to comments made by Vice President Kashim Shettima, following the union’s nationwide strike in protest of alleged mass sackings at the Dangote Refinery.
Shettima, speaking on Monday at the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, criticised the industrial action, describing it as a move capable of holding the entire country to ransom. But PENGASSAN insists it acted within its mandate to defend workers’ rights and is prepared to do it again.
“Should this same event occur again tomorrow, our approach will be exactly the same,” said PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, who also doubles as the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Background: What Triggered the Shutdown?
Last week, PENGASSAN led a shutdown of several critical oil and gas installations in response to the alleged sacking of 800 unionised workers by the Dangote Refinery. The company, however, countered that only a few employees involved in sabotage were dismissed as part of a restructuring exercise.
The strike led to disruptions in oil and gas production, power supply issues, and long queues at filling stations. Prices of cooking gas remained high, selling for ₦2,000 per kg in Lagos on Monday well above pre-crisis levels of ₦900.
The industrial action was suspended midweek after the Federal Government intervened and Dangote Group agreed to redeploy affected workers to other arms of the conglomerate.
VP Shettima: “Nigeria is Greater Than Any Union”
While addressing the summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Aliko Dangote as a pillar of Nigeria’s economic future and warned against actions that could undermine the nation’s industrial growth.
“Aliko Dangote is not just an individual, he’s an institution. And Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN,” Shettima said.
“We owe it to future generations to protect investors like him.”
He also called on labour unions and private sector players to act with caution and patriotism.
PENGASSAN Fires Back: “Nigeria Is Bigger Than Dangote and the Presidency”
In a swift response, Osifo fired back, stating that the union’s duty is to defend its members and it would not hesitate to take action again if needed.
“Yes, Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN just as it’s greater than Dangote and the Presidency,” Osifo said.
Asked about social media calls for the deregistration of the union, Osifo responded, “Does the law prohibit workers’ right to strike?”
PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, echoed the sentiment:
“Is Nigeria not bigger than any individual or institution?”
Kaduna Protesters Accuse Union of Economic Sabotage
While tensions simmered at the national level, pro-government demonstrators hit the streets of Kaduna on Monday, accusing PENGASSAN of trying to sabotage Nigeria’s drive for local refining.
The protesters under the banner of Partners for National Economic Progress (PANEP) alleged that a cartel of fuel importers and their allies in labour were attempting to frustrate the operations of the multi-billion-dollar Dangote refinery.
“This is the same pattern that destroyed Kaduna’s textile industry. Now they want to do the same with petroleum,” said Igwe Ude-Umanta, one of the protest leaders.
Carrying placards with slogans like “Protect Local Refining” and “End Fuel Import Cartel”, the demonstrators warned that failure to protect Dangote’s refinery would discourage future investors.
Union Chapter Dissolved Over Failed Strike Execution
In a twist to the unfolding drama, PENGASSAN’s national leadership reportedly dissolved the executive of its Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) and Nigerian Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) chapters.
The national body accused the units of failing to cut off gas supply to the Dangote refinery during the strike. However, the local executives protested the decision, citing safety risks, operational barriers, and security concerns.
“We were under military pressure and faced serious safety risks. Some facilities couldn’t be shut down without endangering lives,” read a petition signed by 163 members of the affected branches.
They denied allegations of bribery and sabotage and requested the decision be reversed.
Dangote Group Applauds Tinubu’s Intervention
Meanwhile, Dangote Petroleum Refinery expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his “swift and decisive” role in resolving the dispute.
In a statement, the company thanked the President and several top officials including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, and Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu for restoring order.
“We are grateful to these officials for their patriotism and national service,” the company said, calling the union’s actions “disruptive.”
At the same summit, key government figures reiterated support for industrial reforms, domestic production, and investor confidence.
Economic Planning Minister Bagudu highlighted reforms like fuel subsidy removal, FX deregulation, and borrowing discipline as essential to economic recovery.
- GDP growth is projected to reach 4.6% in 2025
- The target is a $1 trillion economy by 2030
Minister of Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, added that Nigeria is now focused on turning trade policy into real-world outcomes that create jobs and boost exports.
“Talk is cheap. It’s time to move from words to results,” she said.
In his opening address, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Chairman, Olaniyi Yusuf, warned that Nigeria must treat its domestic investors with dignity to inspire foreign capital inflow.
“Dead businesses don’t pay salaries or taxes,” he said.
He urged the government to strengthen MSMEs, fix structural issues, and focus on inclusive policies that deliver results to ordinary Nigerians.
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