Tension As PENGASSAN Moves Against Dangote Over Sacked Workers

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has threatened to picket the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over the alleged dismissal of about 800 Nigerian workers who recently joined the union.

The union accused the refinery of sidelining its local workforce and retaining over 2,000 expatriates, mostly Indians, in what it described as a deliberate attempt to frustrate unionisation.

But the refinery dismissed the claims, insisting that the few workers affected were sacked over repeated acts of sabotage that had endangered the safety of the multi-billion-dollar facility.

A letter titled ‘Reorganisation’, which circulated on social media on Thursday, confirmed the termination of jobs “with effect from the eve of Thursday, September 25, 2025.” The company alleged “reported sabotage in different units of the refinery leading to major safety concerns.”

However, PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, argued that the dismissals had little to do with sabotage and everything to do with union membership.

“As of Thursday, the workers completed the process of unionisation as directed by the Federal Government. Over 800 agreed to join PENGASSAN. Management did a headcount and discovered those who signed up. The next thing we saw was a sack letter,” Okugbawa told our correspondent.

He queried the refinery’s decision to keep expatriates while letting Nigerians go. “In this Nigeria, you’re firing Nigerians and keeping expatriates—expatriates that are doing little or nothing compared to what Nigerians can do. Is that reorganisation?”

Okugbawa disclosed that the union’s National Executive Council would soon meet to decide whether to picket the refinery or stage a protest, despite a subsisting court order obtained by the company against blockades.

He also alleged that many of the expatriates lacked valid immigration documentation, describing the development as a direct violation of labour rights.

“The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without consultation contravenes the Labour Act. It also violates the Trade Union Act, which guarantees their right to organise and join associations. We demand that the management recalls all sacked workers immediately,” he said.

In its reaction, the refinery maintained that the exercise was necessary to prevent recurring safety breaches.

“The ongoing reorganisation is not arbitrary. It became necessary to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage, which have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency,” the company stated on Friday.

It added that over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the refinery and that more were being recruited through its graduate trainee and experienced hire programmes.

“Our commitment to workers’ rights is unwavering. The refinery exists to serve Nigerians, strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and create sustainable jobs. We recognise internationally accepted labour principles, including the right of workers to join unions,” the management added.