In a statement issued on September 8, 2025, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, condemned the refinery’s resistance to unionization as a violation of Nigerian labor laws and international conventions. 

The statement highlighted that Dangote Refinery has consistently prevented both PENGASSAN and NUPENG members, including tanker drivers employed at the facility, from joining unions since the refinery’s inception. 

“All diplomatic efforts to engage the company’s management have been unsuccessful,” Okugbawa noted, adding that the continued denial of workers’ rights is unacceptable and will not be tolerated moving forward.

The dispute escalated after NUPENG announced plans to stop loading fuel at the refinery, citing allegations that Dangote Refinery intended to bar drivers of its 4,000 trucks from unionizing. 

PENGASSAN’s solidarity strengthens the unions’ position, with both organizations warning that failure by the refinery’s management to reverse its stance could lead to a coordinated action that might cripple operations at the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility in Lagos.

“We stand firmly with NUPENG in their fight to secure the rights of workers at Dangote Refinery,” Okugbawa stated. 

“If the management does not comply, we will have no choice but to join our sister union in a showdown that could disrupt refinery operations.”

The unions’ threat comes amid broader concerns about the refinery, which has yet to commence production despite an earlier announced August start date. 

PENGASSAN and NUPENG have also previously called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate alleged sabotage by International Oil Companies (IOCs) against the refinery, underscoring its importance as a critical national asset for energy security and economic growth.

Dangote Refinery has not yet responded publicly to the latest threats. The situation remains tense as the unions await a resolution, with potential implications for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.