Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Nigeria have praised a court decision that restrained the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) from shutting down gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery amid a labor dispute. The injunction, delivered by the National Industrial Court, was seen as timely intervention to avoid disruptions to national energy supply.
These CSOs lauded the ruling as a protection of national interest and commended the judiciary for preventing what could have been severe economic fallout. They emphasized that while workers have rights to protest, they considered the potential damage to infrastructure, fuel supply, and broader economic stability if the refinery had been shut down as too high.
In statements released following the court order, several CSOs urged both PENGASSAN and Dangote management to return to the negotiating table. They called for transparent dialogue, fair treatment of workers, and due process in any workforce restructuring.