ABUJA: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria PENGASSAN has accused the management of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals of deliberately transferring its members—particularly Nigerian engineers—to other subsidiaries in a bid to weaken the union’s presence at the refinery.
In a petition addressed to the Lagos Zonal Chairman of PENGASSAN, the refinery’s branch executives alleged that engineers who recently joined the association had been redeployed to Dangote Sugar and other business units under punitive conditions.
Branch Chairman, Abdulfatai Muhammed, and Secretary, Eseoghene Choice, said the transfers violate Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees workers’ right to freedom of association.
Beyond redeployments, the union raised alarm over poor working conditions at the multibillion-dollar refinery. According to the petition, many engineers lack proper personal protective equipment (PPE), are exposed to hazardous environments without hazard allowance or health insurance, and receive no compensation for workplace risks.
On remuneration, PENGASSAN claimed Nigerian engineers at the refinery earn some of the lowest wages in the oil and gas industry, despite the sensitive nature of their roles. It also alleged that expatriates dominate top management positions in breach of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010.
The union further criticised the refinery’s recent decision to sell petrol exclusively in dollars, warning that such a policy could undermine the naira, stoke inflation, and threaten the country’s energy security.
“The consistent pattern of conduct reflects victimisation of Nigerian workers, breach of the constitution, and policies that undermine the national interest,” the union stated.
PENGASSAN has called on its national leadership, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and relevant government agencies to intervene, describing the matter as one of “urgent national importance.”
However, Dangote Refinery has dismissed allegations of mass victimisation and unfair labour practices. The company said over 3,000 Nigerians are currently employed at the facility, stressing that expatriates were engaged only to provide technical expertise and transfer knowledge, while Nigerians make up the bulk of its workforce.
