The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from embarking on a nationwide strike or taking any action that could disrupt operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Justice Emmanuel Sublim, in his ruling, barred the union and its affiliates from cutting crude oil or gas supply to the multi-billion-dollar facility, warning that such a move could severely impact Nigeria’s fragile economy.

The order also directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to disregard any directive from PENGASSAN aimed at halting supply to the refinery. The case was adjourned to October 13 for hearing.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has assured Nigerians of steady supply of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene, and cooking gas, despite threats of industrial action.

The assurance follows reports of a planned disruption allegedly involving PENGASSAN members and hired groups targeting critical units of the refinery. Intelligence sources claimed the plot was intended to halt petrol production and destabilise the facility’s operations.

Over the weekend, PENGASSAN had reportedly instructed its branches in oil majors—including TotalEnergies, Chevron, Seplat, Shell Nigeria Gas, and Oando—to shut crude oil valves supplying the refinery.

In a swift response, Dangote Refinery described the union’s directive as “a lawless act of economic sabotage,” insisting that allegations of anti-labour practices were baseless. The company clarified that its recent internal restructuring was designed to improve efficiency and prevent sabotage, not to victimise Nigerian workers.

“More than 3,000 Nigerians remain fully employed and continue to have unrestricted access to the refinery,” the company stated, adding that only a few staff were affected by the reorganisation.

Sources within the company disclosed that security around the refinery had been strengthened amid intelligence reports of coordinated attempts to cripple operations.

“We call on security agencies to remain vigilant, as this plot aims to halt production and disrupt fuel supply across the country,” a source said.

Dangote Refinery maintained that it remains committed to uninterrupted production and delivery of petroleum products to support Nigeria’s energy security and economic stability.