The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the Dangote Petroleum Refinery of mass layoffs, intimidation, and victimization of workers who recently joined the union.
In a letter to the PENGASSAN Lagos Zonal Chairman, the union’s Caretaker Committee alleged that the refinery management terminated the employment of several workers shortly after they confirmed their membership during a verification exercise. The letter, co-signed by Abdulfaitai Muhammed, CTC branch chairman, and Eseoghene Choice, CTC branch secretary, claimed that termination emails were sent to staff late Thursday night.
The committee further alleged that workers affiliated with PENGASSAN were denied access to the refinery premises while expatriates continued to gain entry. According to the union, staff transportation services were abruptly withdrawn, forcing many employees to spend as much as ₦4,000 daily on commuting. It also alleged that internal directives targeted union leaders for arrest and harassment.
“These incidents clearly represent targeted intimidation and victimization of workers for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of association under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution,” the committee said.
However, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed the allegations, insisting that the ongoing reorganization was not aimed at silencing workers but was a necessary step to safeguard the refinery’s operations.
In a press statement signed by the management on September 26, 2025, the company said the restructuring followed repeated acts of sabotage that raised serious safety and efficiency concerns within the facility.
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“The decision was taken in the best interest of the refinery after intermittent cases of sabotage in various units, with dire consequences on human life and safety. Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our refinery, and only a small number of staff were affected,” the company stated.
Dangote Group emphasized that it remains committed to workers’ rights, noting that every employee is free to decide whether or not to join a union. The company added that it upholds internationally accepted labour standards and will continue to recruit Nigerian talent through its graduate trainee and experienced hire programs.
The statement further stressed that the refinery exists to serve Nigerians, strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and create sustainable jobs, pledging to maintain transparency, safety, and accountability.
The standoff between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Group is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as labour leaders push back against what they describe as unfair labour practices, while management insists it is acting in the best interest of safety and long-term stability.
