Dangote Defends Workers Sack as NLC Mobilises for Strike, Court Takes Action
- Dangote Refinery has provided explanation on its decision to laying off some of its employees recently
- The refinery management describe its decision as a protective mechanism against disruptive behaviors in its operation
- PENGASSAN, NLC protest sackings, accuse Dangote of replacing 800 Nigerian staff with expatriates
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The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has defended its decision to lay off some employees.
The refinery explained that the decision is a restructuring process necessary o protect operations from repeated acts of sabotage.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement, the refinery said the exercise was not arbitrary but aimed at addressing security concerns and safeguarding staff.
It confirmed that over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the plant.
The company said:
“Intermittent sabotage incidents have raised safety concerns and disrupted critical operations. Without decisive action, the facility could face long-term instability."
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It stressed that it upholds international labour standards, including workers’ right to unionise.
Labour union mobilises
The defence comes after the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) accused the refinery of sacking more than 800 Nigerian workers and replacing them with about 2,000 expatriates, mainly from India.
The union described the move as anti-labour and a violation of Nigerian laws.
Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN’s general secretary, insisting that the layoffs breach both the Labour Act and the Trade Union Act,, Punch reports.
He said:
“We are deeply saddened by the unjust termination of these workers."
In a way of protest PENGASSAN has called on its members to stop the supply of gas.
The row escalated on Monday when PENGASSAN declared a nationwide strike that paralysed operations at key regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in support of PENGASSAN mobilised workers for a strike against the $20 billion facility.
The NLC has since directed its affiliate unions to mobilise for broader action, accusing Dangote Group of “union-busting” and operating “as a state within a state.”
NLC president Joe Ajaero said the dispute reflected a pattern of anti-worker practices.
He wrote in an internal memo:
“The blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built this conglomerate; we will not let it become a monument to their oppression."
Source: Getty Images
Dangote secures order
A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an injunction restraining the PENGASSAN and its allies from halting gas supply to the Dangote Refinery.
But PENGASSAN rejected the ruling, saying it had not been formally served with any injunction.
Dangote refinery resumes sales in naira
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Dangote Refinery suspended plans to sell petrol in dollars just a day after halting sales in naira.
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The facility disclosed in an email to customers that the decision followed the intervention of the Nigerian government.
On Friday, September 27, 2025, the refinery announced the suspension of petrol sales in naira, citing the depletion of its crude-naira-sale allocation.
Source: Legit.ng
