The storm around the Dangote Refinery Nigeria’s most ambitious industrial project has taken a dramatic turn. On Friday, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) openly accused the refinery of anti-labour practices after the alleged termination of over 800 Nigerian workers. The union, visibly enraged, claimed that these homegrown professionals were replaced with more than 2,000 Indian nationals, many of whom allegedly lack valid immigration documentation.
This development has sparked outrage, not only within the oil and gas industry but also across the broader Nigerian labour community. At the heart of the matter lies a battle between corporate profit and the dignity of Nigerian labour.
Profit Over People? The Refinery Labour Storm
In its press release dated September 26, 2025, PENGASSAN said the move “endangers the livelihoods of our citizens and undermines the integrity of labour practices in Nigeria.” The union anchored its position on Section 7 of the Labour Act, which prohibits discrimination and ensures fairness in the workplace.
For an industry already grappling with job losses, insecurity, and a fragile economy, the replacement of such a significant number of Nigerians with foreign labour raises fundamental questions. Why would a facility celebrated as Africa’s largest single-train refinery turn its back on local talent at a time when unemployment figures remain painfully high?
PENGASSAN’s Fury and the Bigger Nigerian Question
PENGASSAN’s statement did not stop at condemnation. The union described the refinery’s action as “a troubling trend towards marginalisation of Nigerian workers in favour of foreign labour.” The tone was firm, uncompromising, and direct: Nigerian workers will not be treated as disposable in their own country.
The association went further, linking the development to a broader pattern of capitalist exploitation across sectors. According to PENGASSAN, the relentless pursuit of profit at the expense of employment practices, local talent, and community welfare is “unacceptable.”
Call for Reversal and Legal Action
The union has now issued a clear ultimatum: Dangote Refinery must reinstate the sacked Nigerian workers or face legal and industrial action. An emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has already been scheduled to decide the next steps.
Beyond reinstatement, PENGASSAN is demanding full compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and constitutional provisions on workers’ rights. The recent victimisation of staff for their membership in PENGASSAN, it argued, strikes at the very foundation of unionism and protection under the law.
What This Means for the Oil and Gas Sector
This face-off is not just about one refinery. It speaks volumes about Nigeria’s long-running struggle to balance foreign participation, investment security, and local content in the oil and gas industry. While the Dangote Refinery was expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, the current labour rift raises serious doubts about inclusivity and sustainability.
Moreover, the allegations of importing labour without proper documentation add a legal and political dimension that could attract government scrutiny. With the federal government pushing its “Decade of Gas” and local content initiatives, the optics of sidelining Nigerian professionals could prove damaging.
A Call to National Solidarity
PENGASSAN’s closing message was clear: the struggle is bigger than one union. “This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be tolerated or supported, as injury to one is injury to all,” the statement read.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on Dangote Refinery. Will the management yield to labour’s demands, or will this escalate into a full-blown industrial dispute capable of slowing down the refinery’s operations?
For Nigerian workers who have long looked to the refinery as a beacon of hope, the unfolding clash is more than a labour dispute — it is a test of whether the dignity of Nigerian labour can truly stand tall in the face of corporate power.
