Nigerians are facing higher costs for premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, as the dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) remains unresolved.

A closed-door meeting held on Monday involving the Federal Government, Dangote Refinery, and PENGASSAN ended in deadlock. The President of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, confirmed the outcome in the early hours of Tuesday, describing the discussions simply as a “deadlock.”

Reports from Abuja on Monday indicated that several filling stations had already adjusted their pump prices upward. At Ranoil and Empire stations in Gwarimpa, as well as Ranoil on the Kubwa Expressway, prices rose to between ₦910 and ₦920 per litre, compared to the previous ₦890–₦910 range.

Meanwhile, PENGASSAN’s Secretary, Lumumba Ighotemu, in a directive issued late Monday, ordered members nationwide to continue the strike action against Dangote Refinery over the mass dismissal of workers. The union stressed that only official communications should be regarded as authentic and urged members to await further instructions from its leadership.

The standoff has deepened concerns for Nigeria’s oil sector and for citizens already burdened by rising fuel costs. Dangote Refinery has so far ignored demands to reinstate workers allegedly dismissed for union membership. Although the exact number of affected employees has not been disclosed, the company has not denied carrying out the sackings.

In response, the Nigeria Labour Congress joined PENGASSAN in the nationwide strike on Monday, following a similar move by the Trade Union Congress on Sunday. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Employment, is yet to release details of its intervention. Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, during the meeting, emphasized the need for a resolution in the interest of Nigerians, the union, and employers.

Attempts to obtain further clarification from the ministry’s spokesperson were unsuccessful.

Fuel price concerns

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) attributed the fuel price surge to the anxiety caused by the standoff between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN. Its president, Abubakar Maigandi, warned that the panic buying triggered by the crisis is worsening the situation, and called for urgent government intervention to prevent further hardship.

PENGASSAN extends action

Beyond shutting operations at Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN also grounded activities at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) offices in Abuja on Monday.

Court intervention

On the legal front, Justice Emmanuel Danjuma Subilim of the National Industrial Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining PENGASSAN from continuing the strike. However, the union stated that it was not aware of any such ruling and vowed to continue its action.

Dangote Refinery, over the weekend, criticized the union’s directive, describing it as intimidation and bully tactics. PENGASSAN, however, maintains that it is acting within its legal rights.