Dangote Refinery, Union Clash Over Alleged Intimidation and Mass Dismissals

By Chinedu Echianu

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Branch, has accused the management of the refinery of engaging in targeted intimidation and harassment of union leaders.

In a statement jointly signed by the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Branch Chairman, Comrade Abdulfaitai Muhammed, and Branch Secretary, Comrade Eseoghene Choice, the union alleged that an internal directive intercepted by its members revealed an order from the General Manager of Human Asset Management to arrest and detain the CTC Chairman.

Describing the move as a direct act of intimidation, the union warned that the development was part of a wider clampdown on workers’ rights. It further alleged that more dismissal letters were expected to be issued to union members, a step it said would deepen the assault on constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

PENGASSAN maintained that the actions attributed to refinery owner, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, violate Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which grants citizens the right to freely assemble and associate, including forming or belonging to trade unions.

“These events clearly amount to targeted intimidation and victimisation of workers for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of association,” the statement read.

The union reiterated its commitment to protecting members’ rights and called for urgent intervention from the leadership of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and relevant stakeholders to halt what it termed as an assault on organized labour at the refinery.

Recall that the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals had dismissed its Nigerian workers shortly after finding out their membership of PENGASSAN.

The refinery said the decision followed repeated acts of sabotage by some staff members, which it claimed posed serious risks to the safe operation of the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility.

In a letter dated September 24, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, management explained that it was “compelled to undertake a total reorganisation of the plant” after “several recent incidents of sabotage across different units of the refinery, resulting in major safety concerns.”

The affected employees were instructed to surrender all company property to their respective line managers and complete clearance procedures before receiving their entitlements, which the Finance Department will process in accordance with their terms of service.