Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has warned that unresolved labour disputes at the Dangote Refinery could damage Nigeria’s international reputation.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Monday, Sule described the refinery as a strategic national asset and urged dialogue among management, labour unions, and the federal government to prevent disruptions.

“What we are seeing is simply a gap in communication. PENGASSAN needs to engage directly with Dangote,” he said. “We cannot afford to undermine an institution of this magnitude; otherwise, the world will laugh at us.”

The governor emphasised that the refinery serves a national purpose beyond private ownership, particularly in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on fuel imports and boosting fertiliser production. “The Dangote refinery is not just for Dangote; it is for Nigeria,” he stated.

His comments come amid escalating tensions between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the refinery, following allegations that over 800 Nigerian workers were dismissed and replaced with foreign staff. On Monday, union members staged protests, blocking the offices of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, and the Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission in Abuja.

PENGASSAN subsequently ordered members to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery, insisting that “all control room and field operations must stop without delay.” The Trade Union Congress (TUC) also declared support for the union, with Secretary-General Nuhu Toro warning that no company would be allowed to infringe on workers’ rights.

Dangote Refinery, however, denied the claims, maintaining that the restructuring affected only a fraction of its 3,000 Nigerian staff and was necessary for efficiency and safety. It dismissed the union’s strike directives as “criminal conduct” capable of undermining national fuel supply and revenue.

Later on Monday, the National Industrial Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction restraining PENGASSAN from proceeding with its strike. Justice Emmanuel Subilim ruled that industrial peace must be preserved and adjourned the case until October 13.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government confirmed it had initiated emergency conciliation talks. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, led by Minister Muhammad Dingyadi, appealed to the union to suspend its strike declaration to allow negotiations to proceed.

Despite these interventions, the dispute highlights deepening labour unrest in Nigeria’s energy sector, with unions vowing to resist policies they believe undermine workers’ rights.