By Barnabas Esiet.
In a dramatic turn of events, the National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued a stern warning to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) – stop the strike against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE in its tracks!
Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim delivered the verdict on Monday, September 29, 2025, after the refinery’s lawyer, George Ibrahim made a compelling case for an interim order.
The court’s decision is a direct response to the potential economic chaos that could have unfolded if the strike had continued.
By halting crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery, PENGASSAN’s actions would have dealt a severe blow to the nation’s economy.
The judge emphasized that maintaining the status quo is crucial until the substantive motion is determined, highlighting the risk of irreparable damage to both the refinery and the economy.
In a significant move, the court also put regulatory bodies on notice. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are now barred from enforcing any PENGASSAN directive that would disrupt crude oil and gas supply to the refinery.
With the court order in place, PENGASSAN must now stand down and await the outcome of the substantive hearing, scheduled for October 13.
The fate of the refinery and the nation’s economy hangs in the balance, and all eyes will be on the court for the next crucial developments.
Comment here