The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has accused the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals of deliberately transferring its members, including Nigerian engineers, to other subsidiaries of the Dangote Group in what it described as a ploy to cripple union activities at the multibillion-dollar plant.
In a petition to the Lagos Zonal Council of PENGASSAN, the refinery’s branch executives alleged that engineers who joined the association had been redeployed to Dangote Sugar and other companies under conditions the union described as punitive and unconstitutional.
Signed by Branch Chairman, Abdulfatai Muhammed, and Secretary, Eseoghene Choice, the petition argued that the transfers violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees workers’ right to freedom of association.
The union also raised the alarm over poor welfare at the refinery, claiming that many engineers work without adequate personal protective equipment, hazard allowance, health insurance, or compensation.
On remuneration, PENGASSAN alleged that Nigerian engineers at the facility earn some of the lowest wages in the oil and gas sector, despite the sensitivity of their duties.
The petition further claimed that expatriates dominate senior management positions, in violation of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act of 2010.
The association also faulted the refinery’s recent decision to sell petrol exclusively in dollars, warning that the policy could weaken the naira, trigger inflation, and undermine Nigeria’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 petition read in part.
PENGASSAN called on its national leadership, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and relevant government agencies to intervene, describing the situation as “a matter of urgent national importance.”
However, the management of Dangote Refinery dismissed the allegations, insisting that over 3,000 Nigerians are currently employed at the facility.
The company explained that expatriates were engaged strictly for technical expertise and knowledge transfer, maintaining that Nigerians remain the majority of its workforce.
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