By: Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja.
The leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), on Friday, September 26, 2025, expressed profound outrage over recent anti-labour practices allegedly perpetrated by Dangote Refinery.
The union said it was deeply saddened by the unjust termination of over 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service had been integral to the operations of the plant. Instead of retaining this workforce, management was accused of replacing them with over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom reportedly lacked valid immigration documentation.
In a statement issued by the Secretary General of PENGASSAN, Comrade Lumumba Ighotemu Okugbawa, MNIM, FCIMC, he stated:
“This move not only undermines the livelihoods of our citizens but also raises serious concerns about the integrity of labour practices and compliance with the Labour Act of Nigeria. Under Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures the right to fair treatment in the workplace, the actions of Dangote Refinery are glaring violations of our labour laws. The dismissal of such a significant number of Nigerian workers without due consultation or transparent justification contravenes the legal rights granted to all employees in Nigeria.
“Furthermore, we will not tolerate this blatant disregard for the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly in light of the existing provisions under the Trade Union Act, which enshrines the right of workers to organise and join trade unions. The recent organisation of these workers as members of PENGASSAN underscores their collective power and right to protection under the law.
“We emphasise that such actions illustrate a troubling trend towards the marginalization of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour, which we cannot and will not tolerate. The sacrifice and talents of our workforce deserve respect, and we demand accountability from employers who possess a social responsibility to the communities they operate in.
“We would also be remiss to overlook the broader implications of Dangote Group’s capitalistic pursuits beyond the confines of the refinery sector. Instances of exploitative practices have been reported in various sectors where the company maintains significant business interests. The relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of local talent, ethical employment practices, and community welfare is unacceptable.”
PENGASSAN therefore urged the management of Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers. Failure to comply, it warned, would leave the association with no option but to explore all provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and relevant labour laws.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rights of Nigerian workers, stressing that it would take all necessary legal actions to ensure that employees are afforded the dignity and respect they deserve.
It added that an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting had been scheduled to decide the next line of action. PENGASSAN further called on Nigerians to support the cause and resist what it described as the exploitation of the workforce by capitalists seeking to undermine national priorities for personal profit.
“This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be tolerated or supported, as injury to one is injury to all,” the statement concluded.