PENGASSAN’s directive to halt crude oil supply “Criminal and Reckless” – Dangote

…..described the directive as unlawful, reckless, and tantamount to economic sabotage.

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has berated the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for ordering its members to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery, describing the directive as unlawful, reckless, and tantamount to economic sabotage.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the refinery disclosed that it became aware of a circular dated 26 September 2025, in which PENGASSAN directed its branches in companies such as TotalEnergies E&P, Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas, SNG, and NGIC to immediately stop crude oil and gas deliveries to Dangote Refinery and suspend loading operations for vessels. Branch chairmen were further instructed to enforce compliance and report back.

A “reckless display of lawlessness”
Dangote Refinery condemned the move as a brazen attempt to interfere with legally binding supply contracts and destabilise Nigeria’s energy sector.

“No law empowers PENGASSAN to order its branches to cut crude oil or gas supplies to the refinery or anywhere else,” the statement read. “This amounts to criminal conduct intended to disrupt operations and undermine national energy security.”

The management also faulted the union for contradicting its own press release of the same date, in which it had vowed to seek legal redress against the refinery. “By issuing this directive, PENGASSAN has abandoned lawful recourse for illegal actions capable of plunging the country into chaos,” it said.

National interest at stake
The company warned that enforcing the order would jeopardise the supply of vital petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel, and cooking gas—products that millions of Nigerian homes and businesses depend on daily.

“In what world is it justifiable for PENGASSAN to impose untold hardship on Nigerians by deliberately cutting off fuel supply?” the management queried, stressing that the refinery is Africa’s largest of its kind and a critical national asset.

Investor confidence under threat
Dangote Refinery further cautioned that the directive could undermine investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and reduce government revenues.

“This reckless move is a clear disincentive to local and foreign investors. It risks damaging Nigeria’s credibility as an investment destination at a time when the country needs every possible source of revenue,” it said, noting that the refinery is one of the nation’s biggest contributors to both federal and state coffers.

Appeal for government action
Calling for urgent intervention, the refinery urged the Federal Government, security agencies, and state authorities to act swiftly to stop what it described as an attempt to unleash “chaos and irredeemable hardship” on the populace.

“This is not only an attack on Dangote Refinery but an attack on all Nigerians. Every household and business stands to suffer the consequences if this directive is enforced,” the company warned.

The statement concluded by urging PENGASSAN to abandon “illicit and criminal disruptions” and instead pursue the legal actions it had earlier promised.