Dangote Petroleum Refinery has applauded President Bola Tinubu for stepping in to prevent a labour crisis that threatened to disrupt Nigeria’s oil and gas operations.
In a statement released on Sunday, the company said the President’s decisive action, alongside efforts by several senior officials, helped restore calm after members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) went on strike.
The union had earlier shut down key oil facilities in protest over allegations that the refinery dismissed 800 of its members. The industrial action was suspended after federal intervention brought both sides to the table.
Dangote Refinery acknowledged the roles of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi, NIA Director General Mohammed Mohammed, and several ministers — including Labour Minister Mohammed Dingyadi, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Budget Minister Abubakar Bagudu, and Minister of State for Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha — for working tirelessly to restore stability.
The company also thanked Nigerians for their public support during the standoff, saying it drew strength from the encouragement it received nationwide. It accused certain unnamed actors of attempting to sabotage its operations and vowed to continue protecting Nigeria’s economic interests.
In addition, the refinery appreciated its staff for remaining committed and ensuring continuous production throughout the crisis. It described itself as one of the country’s biggest private employers and a major taxpayer contributing to national growth.
Dangote Refinery also praised the judiciary for upholding justice, while criticizing PENGASSAN for allegedly ignoring valid court orders during the dispute.
The company reaffirmed its dedication to supporting Nigeria’s industrial development and maintaining steady fuel production despite what it called “distractions from saboteurs.”
The incident marked one of the refinery’s toughest tests since it began operations, following earlier disagreements with oil sector unions over supply and pricing issues.
