Ndume Seeks Labour Law Reform after PENGASSAN Strike at Dangote Refinery

During a Senate briefing on 3 October 2025, Senator Ali Ndume from Borno State said he would introduce a bill to review Nigeria’s labour laws in response to the dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery. The union went on strike after the refinery laid off around 800 workers, but called off the action three days later after government mediation.

Ndume noted that the strike severely disrupted Nigeria’s oil and gas supply, causing pump prices to rise and affecting many citizens. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited reported that the stoppage reduced crude output by 16 percent and cut gas trading by 30 percent.

He argues that while workers’ rights must be protected, PENGASSAN should have sought legal redress instead of halting operations at a private company that has invested billions of dollars. Ndume said he will push for amendments to labour law to prevent trade unions from exploiting legal loopholes at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.