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The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has condemned as “criminal and reckless” a directive issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), instructing its branches to cut crude oil and gas supplies to the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility.

In a statement on Saturday, the refinery cautioned that the order, if implemented, would not only cripple its operations but also amount to “economic sabotage” against Nigeria, jeopardising the supply of essential petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel, and cooking gas.

Earlier, PENGASSAN had circulated a written directive to its branches in TotalEnergies E&P, Seplat, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, and the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company, ordering members to shut crude supply valves to the Lekki-based refinery and halt gas flows immediately. The union, currently in a labour dispute with the refinery over the dismissal of about 800 workers, also instructed branch chairmen to suspend loading operations of vessels destined for the refinery and report compliance.

Reacting, Dangote declared that the union lacked any legal authority to disrupt existing supply contracts with third-party vendors. “This is a brazen, shocking display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN. Absolutely no law gives the union the right to cut off gas and crude oil supplies to Dangote Refinery or disrupt the performance of valid contracts,” the company stated

It further warned that the directive could spark nationwide fuel scarcity, cause widespread hardship, and damage Nigeria’s reputation among investors. “The refinery is a strategic national asset and one of the largest contributors to government revenue. The attempt by PENGASSAN to sabotage its operations is a disincentive to investors and a national embarrassment,” Dangote added.

Calling for urgent intervention by the Federal Government and security agencies, the refinery urged citizens to resist what it described as a deliberate plot to impose “unquantifiable hardship” on the population. “No Nigerian household is insulated from the effects of this reckless directive. The repercussions will be grave, affecting every home, every business, and the aviation industry. This is a fight for all Nigerians,” it said.

Dangote also reminded the union of its earlier statement issued on September 26, where it pledged to pursue “necessary legal actions” rather than resorting to self-help. The standoff comes amid growing tensions between PENGASSAN and the refinery, which has defended its controversial restructuring and staff downsizing as necessary steps to safeguard the multi-billion-dollar project from operational risks.

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