iDeemlawfulThe management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has responded to reports of staff dismissals, saying the action was necessary to safeguard the multi-billion-dollar facility from repeated sabotage.
Earlier, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) alleged that Nigerian employees at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals were laid off shortly after joining the union, accusing management of intimidation and breach of constitutional rights.
In a statement signed by branch chairman Abdulfatai Muhammed and branch secretary Eseoghene Choice on Friday, PENGASSAN said the incident occurred just 24 hours after staff unionised.
The union explained that following the creation of the Caretaker Committee of the Branch Executive Council and the submission of the first batch of unionised members’ list to management on September 25, 2025, a list was circulated to confirm voluntary membership.
“A meeting was held with members, during which they were asked to indicate their membership in PENGASSAN. Overwhelmingly, staff at the refinery affirmed YES,” the statement said.
PENGASSAN further alleged that intimidation began later that day when staff buses were withdrawn, leaving workers to pay as much as N4,000 for transportation to work.
The union added that between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm, Nigerian staff who had joined PENGASSAN were denied entry into the refinery, while expatriates were allowed access.
“At about 9:59 pm, workers received a mass termination email addressed to ‘all staff’ of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE,” the statement said.
The union also alleged that security operatives were directed to arrest and detain its caretaker committee chairman, calling it an attempt to intimidate labour leaders. It argued that these actions violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which upholds freedom of assembly and association.
PENGASSAN described the dismissals as deliberate intimidation disguised as reorganisation.
It’s to curb sabotage
Dangote Industries, however, denied any mass termination, stressing that the restructuring was aimed at addressing sabotage within some refinery units.
In an official statement issued on Friday, September 26, refinery management clarified that the process was not arbitrary but necessary to protect what it called a “strategic national asset.”
“The decision was taken in the best interest of the refinery,” the company noted, pointing to intermittent cases of sabotage across units that endangered lives and disrupted operations.
The company restated its commitment to staff welfare and its mission to serve both Nigerians and Africa’s energy market.
The statement reads: “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery wishes to clarify recent reports concerning the ongoing reorganisation within its facility. 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.
“Over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively in our Petroleum Refinery, at present. Only a very small number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our various graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitment process.
“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.”
