• Depots raise price to N980 from N880

Oil workers under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has directed all its members in the country to withdraw their services within 24 hours. The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of all its branches which lasted late into the night on Saturday.
The strike order follows the recent sack of 800 workers by the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
As at yesterday, following the dispute and threats by oil workers, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) increased their Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol rate to N980 per litre from N880 per litre.
The action as also been deemed as an act of “economic sabotage” and threat to the country’s energy security by public sector analyst and economists
The labour directive was contained in a communique signed by PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa. The union lamented that Dangote Refinery’s unilateral action to sack over 800 members of the Association for joining PENGASSAN was an insult to all workers in Nigeria and a deliberate violation of Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
The Union, in the communique, noted said: “Dangote Refinery’s notoriety for enslaving Nigerian workers and the eventual sack of all Nigerians working in the refinery and hiring of over 2,000 Indians, is a show of disloyalty to a country that has given him the most incentives any company has ever enjoyed in Nigeria, at taxpayers’ expense.”
The oil workers said the company has subjected Nigerians to the worst type of working conditions in the oil and gas industry.
The communique stated further: “That no man or company, no matter how highly placed, is above the law and cannot be called to order by the national institutions.
“That the over 800 staff whose jobs have been given to Indians and their families are Nigerians and victims was made to suffer unjustly and there is an urgent need to avoid setting a dangerous precedence.
“The National Executive Council (NEC) of PENGASSAN resolves that all its members working across field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00hrs on Sunday, 28th of September, 2025 and commence 24-hour prayers. This includes all control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel.
It said: “All PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies should withdraw all services effective 00:01 on Monday, 29th of September, 2025”.
The oil workers said no intervention whatsoever will be entertained across field locations except where the safety of personnel and assets is at risk.
“All processes that involve gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be let off effectively immediately.
“All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.
“The prayer point should include a call to God Almighty to give courage to those in authority to rein in Dangote and his co-travelers on the need to obey the laws of our country, “it added.Consequently, depot the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) increased their Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol rate to N980 per litre from N880 per litre.
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) National President Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi, in a chat with The Nation, confirmed the increased depot price of the commodity.
“The depot owners have started jacking up their prices. I learnt that they are selling PMS N970 to N980 from N870 and N880. Formerly, it was N820 and N825, but now they are selling N870 to N880,” he said.
The IPMAN boss appealed to PENGASSAN to consider the negative impact their actions would cause the economy and rescind the decision to stop crude and gas supply to the refinery.
“We are appealing to PENGASSAN not to cut the supply of crude oil and gas to Dangote because it will affect the economy and also reconsider their strike declaration.
“We are appealing to them to look at another way of resolving their differences with Dangote management. This is because anything that will shortchange the economy is not good. The supply of Dangote to the Nigeria’s market is huge. He is the key distributor of petroleum products in the country,” Maigandi said.
Similarly, the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA) National Public Relations Officer, Chief Chinedu Ukadike, said the industrial action will culminate in petroleum products scarcity, insisting that the masses will bear the pains of the refinery and union unrest. He said Dangote Refinery has been the sole supplier of petrol in the country in the last two months.
“Definitely, it will amount to scarcity, so we want to appeal that the government should step in so that the masses will not suffer. I don’t think there has been importation of products in the last two months. Dangote has been the one supplying the products,” Ukadike said.
But the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) National President, Dr. Billy Hary, advised Dangote Refinery management to settle its scores with PENGASSAN, stressing that it is harmful for the refinery to fight the government, International Oil Companies (IOCs) and stakeholders all within a year of operation.

By Abimbola Ola, with Agency report

Introduction

Parenting practices evolve with social, cultural, and technological changes. Just as Baby Boomers and Millennials shaped child-rearing according to the values of their time, Generation Z (those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s) is now entering parenthood with a distinct style. Gen Z parenting is characterized by digital fluency, progressive values, and a focus on emotional intelligence. This essay explores the defining features of Gen Z parenting, its advantages, challenges, and implications for the future of child development.

Digital Fluency and Tech-Oriented Parenting

One of the most notable features of Gen Z parents is their integration of technology into family life. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z parents are “digital natives” who grew up alongside smartphones, social media, and instant connectivity. Research suggests that digital natives rely heavily on online platforms for knowledge acquisition and problem-solving (Prensky, 2001). In parenting, this manifests in the use of apps for child development tracking, online communities for support, and digital communication with schools and healthcare providers.

However, while technology enables easier access to resources, it also raises concerns. Studies highlight the risks of excessive screen time for children, potential cyberbullying, and the psychological impact of social media exposure (Twenge & Campbell, 2018). Thus, while digital parenting can be efficient, it requires careful monitoring.

Progressive Values and Emotional Intelligence

Gen Z parents are more inclined toward progressive parenting models that emphasize emotional well-being. They prioritize open communication, validation of children’s feelings, and mental health awareness. According to research on contemporary parenting, emotionally responsive parenting is linked to higher self-esteem and resilience in children (Gottman & Declaire, 1997).

Unlike authoritarian parenting styles of the past, which emphasized obedience and strict discipline, Gen Z parenting leans toward an authoritative or permissive approach, encouraging children to express themselves freely. This promotes independence and creativity but raises questions about whether boundaries and discipline may sometimes be compromised.

Redefining Family Structures

Another important feature of Gen Z parenting is the acceptance of diverse family models. Gen Z parents are less constrained by traditional norms and are more likely to embrace single parenting, co-parenting, and blended families. Research indicates that younger generations hold more liberal attitudes toward non-traditional households (Pew Research Center, 2020).

This flexibility reflects a broader cultural shift toward inclusivity and diversity. However, in regions with strong traditional roots—such as Nigeria, where extended family values are deeply embedded—Gen Z parenting may clash with intergenerational expectations.

Challenges of Gen Z Parenting

Despite their progressive approach, Gen Z parents face unique challenges. Economic instability, high living costs, and employment uncertainties are common issues for young families (ILO, 2021). Furthermore, the reliance on technology can create dependency, while cultural tensions with older generations may lead to criticism of being “too lenient” or “too modern.” Balancing innovation with tradition remains a significant challenge for Gen Z parents.

Parent-Child Relationships

Perhaps the most defining aspect of Gen Z parenting is the nature of the parent-child relationship. Instead of hierarchical authority, Gen Z parents often adopt a partnership model—treating their children as individuals with voices that matter. Research on modern parenting shows that democratic communication fosters social competence and higher self-confidence (Baumrind, 1991).

Nevertheless, this approach requires a delicate balance to ensure children remain respectful of authority while enjoying freedom of expression.

Conclusion

Gen Z parenting represents a paradigm shift in child-rearing. It is digitally fluent, emotionally aware, and inclusive of diverse family models. While it carries risks such as technology overuse and challenges in maintaining discipline, it also offers opportunities to raise emotionally intelligent, socially aware children prepared for the complexities of the modern world. As this generation continues to mature in their parenting roles, further research will be necessary to assess the long-term impacts of their methods on child development and society.

References

Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56–95muy

• Says its necessary to safeguard facility
• PENGASSAN warns of consequences
• Reps committee opens investigation into NNPC Ltd / OVH Energy acquisition

The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals on Thursday laid off about 800 staff about 800 workers in its employment. The affected staff are all Nigerians.
Although the Refinery’s management explained that the exercise “is part of a major reorganization to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage” that have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency, the organized labour said the action is the anti-climax of its lingering face-off with the firm over labour related issues bordering on unionisation of workers.
A memo signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management at Dangote Group, Femi Adekunle, a copy of which was sighted by The Trust News, confirmed the disengagement of the workers yesterday.
The total reorganization of the refinery, Adekunle said, followed multiple cases of reported sabotage across refinery units that posed major safety risks.
According to the contents of the memo, the management was left with no choice but to carry out a total reorganization of the refinery, effective Thursday, September 25, 2025. The employees were told to give all company property to their line managers and obtain an exit clearance, with the specific date for the process to be communicated later.
“The Finance Department, by a copy of this letter, is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment and conditions of service and pay the amount due to you (less all indebtedness), subject to the condition that you have obtained the exit clearance certificate as mentioned above,” Adekunle stated in the memo.
Late yesterday, following the outrage from labour unions, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, in response, explained that it is not an arbitrary exercise but one necessary to safeguard the $20 billion facility. It said over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in the Refinery, presently, and only a very small number of staff were affected. The firm also assured that it will continue to recruit Nigerian talent through its various graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitment process.
“This exercise is not arbitrary. It has become necessary to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage that have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency. The foregoing decision was taken in the best interest of the Refinery as result of intermittent cases of sabotage in the various units of the Refinery with dire consequences on human life and related safety concerns.
“We remain vigilant to our internal systems and vulnerabilities to ensure the long-term stability of this strategic national asset. It is imperative to protect the refinery for the benefit of Nigerians, our partners across Africa and the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it.
“We recognise and uphold internationally accepted labour principles, including the right of every worker to freely decide whether or not to join a union. Our commitment to workers’ rights is unwavering.
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exists to serve Nigerians, to strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and to create decent, sustainable jobs. We will continue to work in partnership with our employees, regulators, and stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of safety, transparency, and accountability,” a statement from Dangote said.
But the organized labour, through the leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), expressed outrage 0ver the development, calling it “anti-labour practices.”
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba lghotefmu Okugbawa,, the union regretted the development, urging the management of the Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers. It also warned that the union may be left with no other option than to commence exploring all sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the relevant labour laws for solution.
“We are deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service have been integral to the operations of this plant. Instead of valuing and retaining this workforce, Management has chosen to replace these qualified Nigerians with over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom lack valid immigration documentation,” PENGASSAN stated.
It noted that Section 7 of the Labour Act prohibits discrimination and ensures the right to fair treatment in the workplace, a section it said Dangote Refinery are glaringly in violation of the country’s labour laws.
PENGASSAN further noted that the dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or any transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria.
“We will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly in light of the existing provisions under the Trade Union Act, which enshrines the right of workers to organise and join trade unions.
“The recent organisation of these workers as members of PENGASSAN underscores their collective power and right to protection under the law. We emphasise that such actions illustrate a troubling trend towards the marginalisation of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour, which we cannot, and will not, tolerate.
“The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect and we demand accountability from employers who possess a social responsibility to the communities they operate in. Furthermore, we would be remiss to overlook the broader implications of Dangote Group’s capitalistic pursuits beyond the confines of the refinery sector. Instances of exploitative practices have been reported in various sectors where the company maintains significant business interests. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable.
“We stand resolute in our commitment to uphold the rights of Nigerian workers and will take all necessary legal actions open to us as an Association to ensure that they are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve. We have scheduled an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to direct the Association on the way forward. We call on all Nigerians therefore to support this cause and to stand against the exploitation of our workforce by capitalists who seek to undermine our national priorities for their profit. This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not stand,” PENGASSAN said in its statement.
But the management of Dangote refinery has swiftly debunked the allegation of mass sacking of its staff because of joining the Association. The refinery described the allegation as both unfounded and misleading, noting that the re-organisation within its workforce was aimed at strengthening operations and addressing repeated acts of sabotage.
Reassuring employees and stakeholders, the refinery reaffirmed its commitment to internationally accepted labour principles, including workers’ freedom to decide on union membership without interference.
It emphasised that the exercise was an audit process to safeguard the long-term stability of what it described as a strategic national asset.
The refinery added that it would continue to work in partnership with regulators, employees, and stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of safety, transparency, and accountability.
Meanwhile, sources close to the sector told The Trust News that the development may lead to a paralysis of the sector and by extension the economy except urgent steps is taken by the federal government.
As a measure to avert this, the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has pledged to address the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) workers.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos yesterday at the end of a 3-day retreat, the Committee Chairman Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, noted that if the dispute is not well handled, it will create instability in the downstream sector.
He disclosed that the committee has received many submissions from various interest groups on the matter and it will decide on what is best in the interest of both parties.

“If the issue is not well handled, it will create instability in the downstream sector. We have received a lot of submissions from various interest groups on the matter. We will decide on what is best to address the situation. We must balance labour issues with economic interests,” he said.
Ugochinyere also stated that the committee has officially commenced re-investigation into the NNPC Ltd. acquisition of OVH Energy Marketing’s downstream assets and refinery upgrade, which followed a direct order from the House for the reinvestigation of the matter after the first report was turned down.
He recalled that though the committee submitted its report, the House rejected it on the grounds that some critical facts were not reflected.
He stated that with the commencement of the investigation, the general public are invited to make their input before the lawmakers present their recommendations on the floor of the House. He said those with information and submissions should submit it to the clerk of the downstream committee.
He explained that one of the major causes of delay was the failure of certain stakeholders to submit vital documents, but the committee has resolved to move forward with or without those submissions and complete the assignment as mandated by the House.
The lawmaker assured that any individuals found to have acted improperly—either through direct wrongdoing or failure in oversight—will be identified, and appropriate recommendations will be made in the best interest of the nation.
Ugochinyere said: “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.
“This includes examining the funds paid, details of the acquisition agreement, the assets involved, and the circumstances in which former OVH managers were reported to have formed a new company that later acquired OVH itself. Shockingly, those same individuals are also alleged to have assumed leadership roles within NNPC Retail, raising serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the entire transaction.
“The committee has now begun this re-investigation in earnest and held a special committee meeting to deliberate on the matter. One of the key resolutions at that meeting was the timely completion of the investigation, which has been long overdue. Pressure from retail staff, industry stakeholders, and members of the public has mounted, questioning the delay and demanding accountability.
“One of the major causes of delay was the failure of certain stakeholders to submit vital documents. However, the committee has now resolved to move forward with or without those submissions and complete the assignment as mandated by the House. As part of the parliamentary process, the investigation must be concluded and a detailed report submitted to the House for action.
“This investigation is critical—not just to address the numerous unanswered questions and alleged irregularities surrounding the OVH acquisition—but also to allow the new leadership at NNPC Retail to focus fully on their ongoing reforms without distraction. Laying these matters to rest is essential for restoring public trust and ensuring that the reforms are not undermined by past controversies.”