Reps Move to Protect Private Investments After PENGASSAN Strike at Dangote Refinery

The House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at protecting major private investments in Nigeria from industrial actions that could disrupt economic activities.

The move follows the recent strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over a dispute with the Dangote Refinery, which led to a temporary shutdown of operations at the facility.

The resolution was adopted during plenary after a motion jointly sponsored by Hon. Ado Doguwa and Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki was debated on the floor of the Green Chamber.

In the motion, the lawmakers argued that the Dangote Refinery, located within a Free Trade Zone (FTZ), is covered by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Act, which prohibits strikes and industrial actions for the first ten years of operation.

They expressed concern that the recent PENGASSAN strike may have violated the NEPZA Act, warning that such actions could undermine investor confidence and discourage future capital inflows into Nigeria’s economy.

“The NEPZA Act provides clear protection for companies within Free Trade Zones, including a ten-year no-strike rule. The Dangote Refinery is a strategic national investment, and any disruption of its operations poses serious risks to the economy,” the motion read in part.

The lawmakers noted that the refinery’s temporary shutdown during the three-day strike led to financial losses and disrupted downstream operations across the energy value chain.

They described the incident as a wake-up call for government institutions to strengthen policies that protect large-scale investments from labour-related disputes.

“While workers’ rights remain sacrosanct, it is equally important to protect investments that contribute significantly to national growth,” the sponsors stated.

The House also urged the Federal Government to intervene urgently in resolving the lingering dispute between PENGASSAN and the refinery management to avoid a recurrence.

In adopting the motion, the House resolved to develop a policy framework that balances industrial relations with economic stability.

It also directed its leadership to engage with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the NEPZA, and organized labour groups, to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

“We must ensure that strategic investments like the Dangote Refinery are not put at risk due to preventable disputes. Our goal is to safeguard jobs, stabilize production, and protect the confidence of both local and foreign investors,” the House resolved.

The Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion mega-project located in Lagos, is Africa’s largest oil refinery with a production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

Earlier this month, members of PENGASSAN embarked on a three-day industrial action over labour-related disagreements with the refinery’s management, leading to production delays and operational downtime.

The refinery, which plays a key role in Nigeria’s drive toward energy self-sufficiency, has since resumed operations following intervention by federal authorities.