Dangote refinery union sack sparks protests as engineers resist transfer to sugar and cement units. Workers allege victimisation for joining PENGASSAN

Dangote refinery union sack allegations have ignited controversy, as affected engineers claim victimisation for joining the oil sector union PENGASSAN.

Also read: Kashim Shettima warns PENGASSAN over Dangote dispute

The dispute has taken a fresh twist with workers rejecting proposed redeployments to other business units under the Dangote Group.

Speaking under anonymity, several engineers told The PUNCH they were not just suspended but effectively locked out of the refinery since 25 September, following what they described as a coordinated response to their union membership.

Despite assurances from management that the sackings were part of an internal “reorganisation,” workers insist the decision is retaliatory, tied directly to their decision to join PENGASSAN—a move they say was encouraged by the company itself.

The controversy erupted after the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) accused the refinery of sacking 800 workers, prompting nationwide strikes and disruption across oil and gas facilities last week.

Dangote Group, however, maintains that only a handful of employees were dismissed for what it describes as “acts of sabotage.”

According to the affected engineers, plans to redeploy them to unrelated sectors like sugar and cement production amount to punishment, given their specialisation in petrochemical operations.

“Most of us are petrochemical engineers. We were hired by the refinery, not the wider group. Redeploying us to sugar or cement plants is both unfair and demoralising,” said one source.

They claim their salary barely exceeded ₦400,000 monthly after deductions, citing poor remuneration as one of the reasons behind their union move.

In contrast, a senior official with the Dangote Group refuted the allegations.

“Nobody was sacked for joining PENGASSAN. We have union members still working at the refinery. These particular workers were let go due to sabotage, and they were paid up to the end of September,” the official said, rejecting claims of low pay as “outright falsehood.”

The Dangote refinery union sack saga has had far-reaching implications. The strike action triggered temporary fuel shortages and power cuts across parts of Nigeria.

While government intervention has calmed tensions, the implementation of a lasting resolution remains uncertain.

Notably, Dangote has also faced accusations of monopolistic pricing by fuel marketers and clashes with transport unions over workers’ rights, raising broader concerns over labour practices within one of Africa’s largest industrial operations.

Public figures, including Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi and activist Aisha Yesufu, have defended the company, urging unions to act with caution to avoid deterring investment.

Despite the high-level mediation, engineers say they remain in limbo, waiting for official redeployment letters that have yet to arrive.

“We love the refinery. Many of us were part of building it. We didn’t sabotage anything—we just asked to be treated fairly,” one worker said.

Also read: Shettima: Dangote refinery a national asset, must be protected

As the Dangote refinery union sack row continues to unfold, all eyes remain on the government’s next move—and whether the voices of the affected engineers will be heard.