Youths and student groups have staged protests in Lagos and Ibadan this week in support of the Dangote Refinery, calling on the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to stop what they see as actions hurting Nigeria’s path to fuel self-sufficiency.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The demonstrations come after a dispute erupted between PENGASSAN and management at Dangote Refinery. The union had directed its members to halt gas and crude supply to the refinery. The union accuses Dangote of mass dismissal of staff who joined the union and of violating workers’ rights. Dangote denies the accusations, saying the layoffs and transfers were part of reorganisation to improve safety and stop sabotage.

Student bodies including the National Association of Oduduwa Students (NAOS), the Coalition of Yoruba Students, and other youth groups marched peacefully in Ibadan. They carried posters saying “Don’t Kill Dangote Refinery,” “#StopSabotagingFuelInNigeria,” and “Dangote Refinery Is A National Asset.”

In Lagos, similar support voices came from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, called for an end to hostilities against the refinery, saying the facility is important for stabilizing fuel supply, reducing shortages, and helping Nigeria avoid high imports. He asked stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to stop creating obstacles for the refinery.

The protesters argue that Dangote Refinery — which can process 650,000 barrels of crude per day — has already made notable gains. They say its operations are helping reduce fuel scarcity, curbing long queues at petrol stations, and keeping transport and energy costs more stable.

Fuel scarcity has re-emerged in both Lagos and Abuja since the start of the standoff. Some filling stations which had fuel in the morning had stopped by the afternoon. Motorists have reported delays and long lines at stations.

PENGASSAN’s side says many Nigerian workers were removed or transferred unfairly after they joined the union. They also claim poor working conditions: insufficient protective gear, lack of allowances, low pay compared with people in similar jobs, and dominance of foreign staff in senior roles. Dangote says the issues stem from reorganising to prevent sabotage and protect operations, not union suppression.

A court in Abuja issued an order blocking PENGASSAN from going ahead with its plan to cut gas and crude supply. The court said that disrupting flow of crude and gas may damage Nigeria’s economy.

The federal government has also stepped in, holding meetings with both Dangote Refinery and the union. Officials say they want to calm the dispute and protect energy supply, because the refinery is a critical national asset.

The headlines from the protests are calls for:

• Immediate reinstatement of affected workers without loss of pay;

• Respect for labor laws and workers’ right to organize;

• Crude supply to local refineries to be fair and transparent;

• The government to protect Nigerian refineries and push full local refining.

As of this week, tensions remain. Protesters say they will keep pressure until a satisfactory resolution. Dangote and PENGASSAN appear locked in talks, with fear from many that prolonged dispute might hurt Nigerians more — in fuel cost, inflation, and economic stability.