PENGASSAN Threatens to Picket Dangote Refinery Over Sack of 800 Nigerian Workers

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to picket the Dangote Petroleum Refinery following the alleged dismissal of about 800 Nigerian workers who had joined the union.

According to PENGASSAN, the refinery replaced the affected workers with over 2,000 Indian nationals, many of whom allegedly lacked proper immigration documentation.

General Secretary of PENGASSAN, Lumumba Okugbawa, accused the company of victimising workers for unionising, despite directives from the Federal Government permitting them to do so.

“As of Thursday, over 800 workers voluntarily joined PENGASSAN. The management carried out a headcount and, shortly after, issued sack letters to the Nigerian staff while retaining expatriates. Is that reorganisation?” Okugbawa asked.

He warned that the union would not hesitate to embark on protests or picketing after its National Executive Council meeting. “We are on top of the matter. Nigerians cannot be fired and replaced with expatriates doing far less,” he added.

PENGASSAN further described the mass dismissal as discriminatory and a violation of Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits workplace bias, as well as the Trade Union Act, which protects workers’ rights to organise.

“The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation contravenes their legal rights. We will take all necessary legal actions to ensure they are treated with dignity and respect,” the union said in a statement.

Dangote Refinery Denies Mass Sack

In response, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery denied allegations of union victimisation, insisting only a few workers were dismissed following repeated acts of sabotage.

“The reorganisation was not arbitrary. It became necessary to safeguard the refinery from sabotage that posed safety risks and threatened operations,” the company said.

It added that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the facility, while fresh recruitment drives are ongoing through graduate trainee and experienced hire programmes.

“Our commitment to workers’ rights is unwavering. The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exists to serve Nigerians, strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and create decent, sustainable jobs,” management stated.

The refinery recently secured a court injunction to stop unions from blocking its facility after earlier disruptions by the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.

PENGASSAN has, however, insisted that it will explore “all constitutionally guaranteed options” if the sacked workers are not reinstated.