A former Senator and human rights activist, Shehu Sani, has called on the management of Dangote Refinery to immediately reinstate workers allegedly dismissed for joining trade unions.
Sani, who represented Kaduna central zone at the 8th Senate, described the move as a violation of constitutional rights and a threat to industrial peace.
In a statement shared via his official X handle on Monday, Sani also appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its directive to cut off gas supply to the refinery, warning that such an action could harm national economic interests.
He wrote, “Dangote should recall the workers sacked because of their decision to join their trade unions. PENGASSAN should suspend their decision to cut off gas supply to the Dangote Refinery.”
The intervention comes amid growing tensions between the refinery’s management and organised labour.
PENGASSAN had alleged that over 800 workers were dismissed for joining the union—an action the union says contravenes Nigeria’s labour laws and international conventions.
The union has since ordered a nationwide shutdown of operations, including gas and crude supply to the refinery, and accused the company of replacing Nigerian workers with “over 2,000 Indians,” sparking outrage among labour circles and civil society.
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Reacting, Dangote refinery accused PENGASSAN of sabotage and selfish interests, citing its past opposition to reforms and privatisation efforts.
The company described the strike order as “reckless, lawless and dangerous,” stressing that it was designed to weaponise hardship against Nigerians.
It insisted the dismissals were based on safety and efficiency concerns, not anti-union victimisation, adding that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the facility.
On his part, Sani emphasised that while the refinery is a strategic national asset, it must operate within the framework of Nigeria’s labour laws and respect workers’ rights.
“The nation is proud of Dangote’s refinery and its unprecedented level of success, but the right of workers to unionise is embedded in the laws of our country,” he added.
With PENGASSAN’s strike action already underway and operations at the Dangote Refinery potentially affected, the federal government has called for a meeting today (Monday) for a swift resolution to prevent a broader industrial crisis in the country’s oil and gas sector.
