The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has condemned Dangote Refinery for allegedly terminating the appointments of 800 Nigerian workers unjustly.
In a statement released on Friday by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of anti-labor practices and claimed that these Nigerian employees were replaced by over 2,000 Indian workers.
This controversy follows Dangote Refinery’s explanation that the layoffs were part of a workforce restructuring aimed at removing saboteurs. The company stated on its 𝕏 account that those affected were involved in repeated sabotage, which compromised safety and operational efficiency. The refinery also noted that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain actively employed.
PENGASSAN expressed deep sadness over the situation, highlighting that many of the Indian workers brought in reportedly lack proper immigration documentation. The union criticized the refinery for denying the dismissed workers fair treatment and argued that the termination violated Nigeria’s Labour Act. According to PENGASSAN, Section 7 of the Labour Act prohibits discrimination and guarantees fair treatment in the workplace, which they say was ignored.
The union emphasized that the affected workers have the right to unionize under the Trade Union Act, reinforcing their collective strength and legal protections. PENGASSAN demanded the immediate reinstatement of the terminated Nigerian workers and warned that it would pursue all legal options if the refinery failed to comply.
The statement concluded by criticizing what it described as a growing trend of marginalizing Nigerian labor in favor of foreign workers, accusing the Dangote Group of prioritizing profit over ethical employment practices and community welfare. PENGASSAN pledged its commitment to defending Nigerian workers’ rights and holding employers accountable for socially responsible conduct.
