Dangote Engineers Decry Redeployment Over Unionisation Dispute

Some engineers recently dismissed by the Dangote Refinery for allegedly joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have criticised plans to redeploy them to other subsidiaries of the Dangote Group, including its sugar and cement companies.

The affected workers, who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, accused the company of victimising them for exercising their right to unionise.

However, the Dangote Group media team dismissed the allegations on Wednesday, maintaining that PENGASSAN members are still employed at the refinery.

PENGASSAN had shut down oil and gas facilities between Sunday and Tuesday last week, alleging that about 800 refinery workers were sacked for joining the union. The Dangote Refinery, however, described the action as a reorganisation effort and claimed only a few employees were dismissed for sabotaging operations.

The strike by oil and gas workers led to disruptions in production and power generation nationwide until the Federal Government intervened, directing the company to reinstate or redeploy the affected staff.

Speaking with reporters, some of the dismissed engineers said they had not been recalled or redeployed as of Tuesday. Sources within the Dangote Group confirmed plans to transfer some engineers to its sugar and cement plants, while new personnel would be recruited to fill refinery roles. It was also gathered that a few of the affected staff could be deployed to the group’s foreign subsidiaries.

The engineers, however, rejected the redeployment plan, saying it was unjust and unrelated to their employment contracts. “It is victimisation. How will you redeploy us from the refinery to sugar or cement plants? It is not fair. We were employed by Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, not the Dangote Group. Some of us are petrochemical engineers; how do you want them to cope?” they lamented.

They added that they had been at home since September 25, after being instructed to stay away from the refinery premises pending redeployment. Attempts to access the facility were rebuffed by security officials. “Currently we are at home. The management said they would get back to us but nothing has happened” they said.

The workers also alleged that only Indian nationals were now operating the refinery, claiming all Nigerian engineers had been sidelined. “At the moment, only Indians are running the refinery. All Nigerian engineers were sacked because we joined PENGASSAN” they alleged.

The refinery had earlier denied the claim, insisting that over 3,000 Nigerians were still employed. “Only a very small number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our graduate trainee and experienced hire programmes” the company stated.

The engineers maintained that their decision to join PENGASSAN followed management’s earlier announcement permitting unionisation. “We wouldn’t have joined PENGASSAN if we were well paid. Our salary is around ₦400,000 and after deductions, it falls below that. The management announced that workers were free to unionise and when we did, it became an issue” they explained.

On the allegation of sabotage, the engineers insisted on their loyalty to the $20 billion refinery. “We cannot sabotage the refinery. We built it from the beginning. How can we destroy what we worked hard to establish?” they said, adding that they were waiting for their redeployment letters following government intervention.

Responding, a senior official of the Dangote Group told newsmen that the dismissed staff were sanctioned for acts of sabotage, not for union activities. “Nobody is being victimised. Their September salary was paid. We have PENGASSAN members still working with us” the official said. He also rejected the alleged ₦400,000 salary figure, describing it as “outright falsehood.”

The Dangote Refinery has faced a wave of criticism in recent weeks from labour unions and petroleum marketers. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) accused the refinery of monopolistic practices and unfair pricing after it reduced petrol prices.

The unions also accused the company of restricting workers’ rights and launched protests that temporarily halted crude and gas supplies, leading to nationwide fuel shortages. Government mediation later restored normalcy, though stakeholders await full implementation of the agreed resolutions.

Prominent Nigerians, including Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi, Bishop Matthew Kukah and Aisha Yesufu, have since urged restraint, warning labour unions against actions that could discourage investors.