The House of Representative on Petroleum Resources (downstream), has pledged to intervene in the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), warning that mishandling the issue could destabilize the downstream sector.

Chairman of the Committee, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, gave the assurance at the close of a three-day retreat, in Lagos, at the Weekend.

Ugochinyere noted that while Dangote and NUPENG signed a Memorandum of Understanding on September 9 to strengthen workers’ right to unionise, fresh disagreements have since emerged.

He stated that the committee had received multiple submissions from stakeholders adding that it would act in the best interest of both parties.

“If the issue is not well handled, it will create instability in the downstream sector. We must balance labour issues with economic interests,” he stated.

It would be noted that NUPENG had accused the refinery of intimidation, alleging it ordered truck drivers to remove union stickers before loading. Dangote, however, dismissed the claims describing it as “cheap blackmail.”

He also revealed that the committee has reopened its investigation into NNPC Ltd.’s acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing’s downstream assets and refinery upgrade, following a directive from the House after the initial report was rejected for omitting key facts.

“The investigation is distinct from the previous inquiry carried out. The House, therefore, mandated the Downstream Committee to undertake a fresh investigation—with a clear directive to uncover what truly transpired in the OVH acquisition process”, Ugochinyere said.

With the commencement of the investigation, the committee chairman said the general public is invited to make their input before the lawmakers present their recommendations on the floor of the House.

He directed that those with information and submissions should submit them to the clerk of the downstream committee.

The experts made the remark at the 2025 Press Week Lecture and Symposium organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Chapel, Lagos,

With the theme of the symposium as ‘Transforming Energy: The Digital Evolution of Oil and Gas’, he gathering drew top industry players, media leaders, traditional rulers, students, and security officials for a wide-ranging dialogue on the future of Nigeria’s most vital industry.

Chairman of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Wole Ogunsanya, highlighted the role of digital solutions across exploration, drilling, production, and other oil services.

Represented by the Vice Chairman, Obi Uzu, Ogunsanya noted that Nigeria’s oil production had risen to about 1.7 million barrels per day and was expected to reach two million barrels soon.

Ogunsanya emphasised that increased production would strengthen the naira and fund key infrastructure projects, such as railway networks connecting Lagos to northern, eastern, and southern Nigeria, without excessive borrowing.

He stressed the importance of using oil revenue to sustain national development rather than relying heavily on loans, which undermine financial independence.

Comparing Nigeria to Norway, Ogunsanya explained how the Nordic country had prudently saved and invested oil earnings into education, infrastructure, and long-term development, in contrast to the nation’s monthly revenue distribution system.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Secretary of the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Clement Using, represented by the Secretary of the Association, Ms Ogechi Nkwoji, highlighted the urgent need for stakeholders and regulators in the sector to embrace digital technologies.

According to him, digital evolution can boost operational efficiency, reduce costs, enhance safety, and align with sustainability goals.

Isong pointed out that the downstream energy sector forms the backbone of Nigeria’s economy saying “When the downstream system functions well, commerce thrives, hospitals operate, and markets stay open. When it fails, chaos and hardship follow immediately,” he said.

He identified challenges such as price volatility, equipment failures, fuel losses, fraud, and environmental risks, linking them to aging infrastructure, poor record-keeping, and skill gaps.

According to Isong, the solution lies in integrated digital tools such as sensors, automation, analytics, and secure transaction systems to monitor refining, storage, distribution, and retail activities.

He highlighted key technologies including IoT forecourt automation for real-time pump activity and sales tracking, remote pricing and reconciliation systems at retail fuel stations, AI-powered pipeline leak detection, terminal automation for depot operations, digital tank gauging, and predictive maintenance.

NUJ-NAN Chapel Chairman,  Yunus Yusuf, urged all stakeholders to leverage digital technology for a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable energy future.

He emphasised deploying digital tools to drive sustainability, empower communities, and reshape Nigeria’s oil and gas landscape.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has ordered its members to halt gas supply to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery amid a dispute over workers’ union rights.

The directive was issued in a circular dated September 26, 2025, and signed by the union’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, instructing members in major oil and gas companies to not only stop gas and crude deliveries to the refinery but suspend vessel loading operations.

PENGASSAN said the action followed the refinery’s alleged disengagement of workers seeking to unionize, accusing management of spreading misinformation instead of addressing grievances.

The circular, copied to branch chairmen at TotalEnergies, Seplat, Chevron, Oando, Shell, and NGIC, tasked NGIC to cut off supply “effective immediately.”

“We bring you fraternal greetings from the National Secretariat. As you are aware, the Management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has disengaged our members in reaction to the exercise of their constitutional right to being unionized.

“They have gone further on a mission of misinformation and propaganda to justify this illegitimacy rather than engaging meaningfully with us to right the wrong. Consequent to these, you are hereby directed to cut off gas supply to NGIC effective immediately. All crude oil supply valves to the Refinery should be shut. The loading operation for vessel headed there should be halted immediately.

“NGIC Chairman, ensure that gas supply to the Refinery is cut off effective immediately,” the circular read in part.

PENGASSAN said the decision was necessary to defend its members’ rights and further instructed branch chairmen to report promptly on enforcement progress.

Dangote Group has yet to issue a formal response.

While PENGASSAN linked its latest directive to alleged victimisation of workers seeking to unionise, the Dangote Group had earlier dismissed reports of mass layoffs, saying only a small number of employees were affected..

The company said over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the refinery and maintained that workers are free to decide whether or not to join a union.

Labour disputes have persisted despite a resolution brokered by three federal ministers and the Deputy Director General of the DSS, with NUPENG previously accusing the refinery of refusing to recognise workers’ rights and allegedly intimidating union officials.
PENGASSAN’s order now escalates the standoff, as it directs members to cut off gas and crude supply, suspend vessel loading, and shut valves linked to the refinery.