The National Industrial Court in Abuja has issued an interim order restraining the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Direct Trucking Company Drivers Association from embarking on any strike action that could cripple operations at the Dangote Refinery.
Justice E.D. Subilim, ruling on a motion ex parte filed by the refinery’s counsel, George Ibrahim (SAN), barred the unions from blocking roads, disrupting petroleum distribution, or obstructing the activities of Dangote Refinery, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, and MRS Oil and Gas Company Ltd.
The court held that granting the injunction was necessary to prevent irreparable damage to the refinery’s operations. The order, which will remain in force for seven days, is to last until the hearing of a motion on notice. Justice Subilim also directed that the unions be served with the relevant court documents and instructed that the case file be reassigned to another judge after September 23, when the court’s vacation ends.
Dangote’s legal team argued that the unions’ planned actions breached constitutional provisions on freedom of association and sections of the Trade Union Act. The refinery also gave an undertaking to pay damages if the injunction was found to have been wrongly obtained.
In his ruling, Justice Subilim said the case raised serious issues for trial, adding that the balance of convenience favoured the refinery. He ordered the unions to maintain petroleum trucking services to safeguard steady fuel supply until the substantive matter is determined.
The ruling comes amid rising tensions between Dangote Refinery and labour groups. While the refinery insists it respects workers’ right to freely choose whether or not to join a union, NUPENG has accused management of anti-labour practices, including forcing drivers to remove union stickers from trucks shortly after a strike suspension.
The refinery, commissioned in 2023 as Africa’s largest oil-processing facility, has dismissed claims of monopolistic control, pointing out that over 30 refinery licences have been issued to other private operators such as BUA, Aradel, and Waltersmith.
NUPENG, however, has warned of continued intimidation of its members and placed workers on red alert, calling for the intervention of government, civil society, and international labour organisations to protect employees’ rights.
The case will return for further hearing once reassigned to a substantive judge after the court’s vacation.
