Nigerian officials are set to meet oil workers’ union representatives Monday after a nationwide strike disrupted fuel supply.
The walkout was called following the dismissal of 800 workers at Dangote Refinery, citing alleged sabotage, a union leader told reporters.
PENGASSAN, one of Nigeria’s main oil and gas unions, described the mass firing as a violation of labour laws and constitutional rights.
Strike action has halted operations at key refineries, threatening the revenue of Africa’s largest oil-producing country and most populous nation.
Hundreds of refinery workers recently joined PENGASSAN, seeking safer working conditions and fair pay, according to laid-off employees speaking anonymously.
“I worked there for two years without proper protective gear, not even a face mask,” one dismissed engineer said to the AP.
Dangote Refinery defended the dismissals, calling the action necessary to prevent sabotage and safeguard operational efficiency, in an official statement.
The company also labelled the strike “lawless” and a “criminal conduct,” but declined further comment on the ongoing dispute.
Launched in May 2023, the $20 billion Dangote Refinery has reduced Nigeria’s reliance on foreign processing and alleviated currency pressures.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, built the refinery on Lagos outskirts, marking the nation’s most ambitious industrial investment in decades.
Analysts warn the strike highlights persistent challenges in Nigeria’s oil sector, including poor maintenance and underperformance at state-run refineries.
The government-union meeting will be closely watched for solutions to restore supply, protect workers’ rights, and stabilise Africa’s critical energy sector.