The House of Representatives has resolved to intervene in the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, which recently disrupted the distribution of petroleum products across the country.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance jointly sponsored by Hon. Alhassan Doguwa (Kano) and Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki (Sokoto) during plenary on Tuesday.
Titled “We need to protect private investment from adversarial unionism,” the motion highlighted the strategic importance of the Dangote Refinery, describing it as the largest private petroleum refinery in Africa and a vital contributor to Nigeria’s energy security.
The industrial face-off, which began on September 29, 2025, reportedly disrupted refinery operations and caused a daily production loss of about 200,000 barrels over three days, leading to fuel scarcity and long queues at filling stations nationwide.
Doguwa, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency in Kano State, emphasised the need to protect key private investments from actions that could undermine national economic stability.
“The Dangote Refinery is a strategic private investment with immense national importance. It guarantees energy security, reduces import dependency, generates employment, and conserves foreign exchange,” he stated.
He noted that since the refinery operates within a Free Trade Zone, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA). According to Section 18(5) of the NEPZA Act, employment matters in such zones are governed by rules made by the Authority and not by regular labour laws.
Doguwa warned that labour union activities that disregard these legal provisions could discourage local and foreign investments and harm the nation’s economic prospects.
However, Hon. Ahmad Jaha (Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency) urged the House to proceed cautiously, warning that an immediate probe might worsen tensions between the parties.
Following deliberations, the House leadership was mandated to broker peace between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery in the interest of the nation.
Additionally, the House called on the Federal Ministries of Labour and Employment, Industry, Trade and Investment, and Justice to formulate a national policy framework that would protect private investments of strategic national importance from unlawful union actions.
It also directed the Federal Ministry of Justice and NEPZA to ensure full enforcement of Section 18(5) of the NEPZA Act in all Free Zone operations.
