The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has joined the growing criticism of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery over the recent dismissal of hundreds of employees, a decision that has intensified tensions in the oil and gas sector.

ASCSN President, Comrade Shehu Mohammed, described the layoffs as an attack on workers’ rights, accusing the company of punishing staff for union activities. He said the action violates both Nigeria’s constitution and international labour standards, insisting that the workers must be reinstated. The union declared its full support for the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), both of which have strongly opposed the refinery’s actions.

Mohammed commended the TUC for putting its affiliates on alert for possible nationwide strikes and warned that ASCSN may fully join in if the issue drags on.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has also waded in, asking all its affiliates to prepare for mobilisation. In an internal memo, NLC President Joe Ajaero directed unions to be ready for action if the matter is not resolved.

PENGASSAN has accused the refinery of dismissing over 800 workers for trying to unionise and claims their roles were replaced with expatriates, mainly from India. Dangote has rejected these accusations, saying the job cuts were part of restructuring efforts to improve operations and protect the company. The group also noted that more than 3,000 Nigerians are still employed at the facility.

The standoff has already disrupted operations, with PENGASSAN cutting off crude and gas supplies to the refinery. This is a major setback, as the facility is key to Nigeria’s goal of reducing fuel imports and easing pressure on foreign exchange. While government mediators are working to calm the situation, labour groups say the dispute is about defending the fundamental right of Nigerian workers to organise without intimidation.