The Dangote Group has reacted strongly to the directive issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on September 26, 2025. In the written communication, PENGASSAN ordered its members in several branches, including TotalEnergies E&P, Seplat Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Renaissance, Chevron, Oando, Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), and NGIC, to cut off gas supply to the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) and halt crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery.
In the directive, PENGASSAN instructed its branches that “all crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut” and that “the loading operation for vessel headed there should be halted immediately.” The directive also mandated the Chairman of its NGIC Branch to “ensure that gas supply to the Refinery is cut off effective immediately,” while requiring all branch chairmen “to report promptly the progress of the directive.”
Dangote Industries has described this move as shocking and unlawful, stressing that no law gives PENGASSAN the right to cut off supplies to the refinery. “This is a brazen, albeit shocking display of lawlessness and criminality by PENGASSAN,” the statement noted.
The Group emphasized that supply contracts for gas and crude oil to the refinery were not signed with PENGASSAN but with third-party vendors and suppliers. According to the response, “It constitutes a criminal conduct for PENGASSAN or its members to disrupt and interfere in the contract between Dangote Refinery and its various vendors for the supply of gas and crude oil. Those contracts were not entered into with PENGASSAN, and the Association has no right whatsoever to interfere with their performance.”
The company also pointed out that Nigeria is a country governed by law and warned that actions like this could introduce anarchy. “Our laws do not brook self-help and mob action that could introduce mayhem and chaos and easily translate into anarchy,” the statement said.
It further highlighted that PENGASSAN had earlier on the same day issued a Press Release promising to “take all necessary legal actions” to challenge Dangote Refinery but contradicted itself hours later with the order to halt supply. “No sooner had the Association issued the Press Release than it abandoned the path of lawfulness and embraced criminal conduct,” the company remarked.
The Dangote Group accused PENGASSAN of economic sabotage, saying the directive would hurt Nigerians directly by disrupting access to essential petroleum products. “PENGASSAN has directed its branches to disrupt and stop the supply of petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery to Nigerians. The products that would be disrupted include aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel and cooking gas, all products that are used and required by all Nigerians,” the statement read.
The company asked what justification PENGASSAN had for introducing hardship into the daily lives of Nigerians. “In what circumstance would it be justified for PENGASSAN to so disrupt and introduce insufferable hardship into the living conditions of Nigerians? None that we can see. The follow up question is, in whose interest and on whose behalf is PENGASSAN directing and intending to inflict such anarchic disruption upon Nigerian society? Most certainly, not in the interest of the Nigerian State or the Nigerian public.”
The Dangote statement also framed the matter as sabotage against the Nigerian State. It described the refinery as a strategic national asset and a source of pride for Africa. “Dangote Refinery is the only refinery of its type in Africa and ordinarily should be the pride of all Nigerians as well as the governments of Nigeria. It should have special protection and status and indeed qualifies as a strategic national asset,” the company said.
The statement warned that the directive was a disincentive for foreign investors. “The directive is a disincentive to external investors who ordinarily would have been encouraged by the success of Dangote Refinery to contemplate investing in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. PENGASSAN may also not be aware that Dangote Refinery is one of the largest contributors to the revenue purse of the Nigerian governments – both Federal and sub-nationals. That contribution is currently threatened by PENGASSAN and would of course be paused if the directive is implemented.”
Calling on the government to step in, Dangote urged immediate intervention. “We are drawing the attention of the Federal Government and its security and law enforcement agencies, as well as all other levels of government, to this criminal, lawless, reckless and irresponsible conduct of PENGASSAN. The Association must not be allowed to believe it is above the law,” the statement said.
The company also appealed to Nigerians to understand the potential hardship that could arise if supply from the refinery is cut. “There is no Nigerian household that does not use or need the petroleum products which PENGASSAN has now directed its branches to withdraw from the Nigerian market. The production and supply of these products by Dangote Refinery would cease if the PENGASSAN cabal is allowed to enforce its directive. The repercussions would affect and inflict harm on all Nigerians. This is therefore a fight for all Nigerians,” the statement warned.
Dangote stressed that PENGASSAN must return to its earlier commitment to legal action instead of adopting illegal steps. “We all must encourage and nudge PENGASSAN to live up to the commitment in its Press Release of 26 September 2025, to ‘take all necessary legal actions’ – not illicit and criminal actions – to challenge the Dangote Refinery acts that it purports has led to its directive.”
The controversy has quickly become a major issue in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Analysts note that this could disrupt the supply chain of petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation fuel, and cooking gas, all of which are essential for households and businesses. The situation also threatens Nigeria’s energy stability and raises concerns about job security, foreign investment, and the reputation of the oil and gas industry.
With Dangote Refinery being a multi-billion-dollar investment and one of the biggest in Africa, experts have warned that halting supply could create ripple effects in the economy. Increased petrol prices, scarcity of diesel, and higher costs of cooking gas could hit millions of Nigerians. Aviation fuel shortages could affect air travel and logistics, while kerosene scarcity could directly hurt rural households that rely on it.
The Nigerian government is now expected to weigh in heavily on the matter to prevent further escalation. Security experts say disruptions at the refinery could have national security implications, especially if supply shortages lead to protests or unrest.
As the dispute unfolds, attention is now on whether PENGASSAN will proceed with enforcing its directive or step back in response to government pressure. Industry stakeholders have called for dialogue, stressing that the energy sector is too critical for the country’s economic survival to be subjected to such confrontations.