A recent development at the Dangote Refinery in Nigeria has sparked controversy, with workers under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, alleging mistreatment by the refinery’s president, Aliko Dangote. According to a letter signed by the Caretaker Committee Chairman and Secretary of the Branch, Abdulfaitai Muhammed and Eseoghene Choice, Dangote instructed the company’s security to deny Nigerian workers entry into the refinery, while allowing Indians and Pakistanis to enter.
The workers claim that this incident occurred after they voluntarily joined PENGASSAN, as permitted by the Nigerian Constitution. The company allegedly took several actions against the workers, including withdrawing staff buses, terminating mass appointments via email, and ordering the arrest and detention of union leaders. The workers argue that these actions violate Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of assembly and association.
The situation escalated when the workers received an email stating that all shift buses were “under maintenance,” forcing them to use their personal funds for transportation to work. Despite this, the workers remained calm and reported to duty. However, later that evening, they were denied entry into the refinery, with only expatriates permitted to enter. A mass termination email was subsequently sent to the workers, addressed to “All Staff” of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE.
PENGASSAN has condemned the actions of Dangote Refinery, stating that they amount to targeted intimidation and victimization of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association. The union’s president, Festus Osifo, has vowed that the sacked workers will be recalled by the company. An emergency National Executive Council meeting has been summoned to address the matter.
The Dangote Refinery has confirmed the mass appointments termination, sparking concerns about workers’ rights and union activities in Nigeria. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by workers in the country’s oil and gas sector, where labor disputes and union activism are common. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the company and the union will resolve the dispute and address the concerns of the affected workers.
