Some engineers recently dismissed from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery are protesting management’s plan to transfer them to other subsidiaries within the Dangote Group, including its cement and sugar companies.
The affected workers, who spoke anonymously, claim the redeployment is a form of punishment for joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). They insist that their contracts were specifically with the refinery and not the wider Dangote Group, arguing that a transfer to unrelated industries would be unfair and professionally unsuitable.
“It’s not right to move petrochemical engineers to sugar or cement plants,” one of the engineers said. “We were employed by the refinery, not the entire group. This feels like victimisation.”
The dispute stems from a recent wave of dismissals at the $20 billion refinery, which PENGASSAN alleges involved around 800 workers. The union accused the company of targeting employees who joined its ranks, prompting a three-day strike that disrupted oil production and electricity generation nationwide.
However, the Dangote Group has denied any wrongdoing, stating that only a few employees were dismissed for “acts of sabotage” and not for union membership. A company spokesperson said PENGASSAN members remain actively employed at the refinery and described the redeployment plan as standard company policy.
“Nobody is being victimised,” the spokesperson said. “In Dangote, staff can be reassigned across our businesses — from cement to refinery or fertiliser. That’s always been the case.”
The company also refuted claims that the affected engineers earned less than ₦400,000 monthly, calling the figure “false and misleading.”
The refinery, which has faced multiple controversies in recent months, was previously accused by fuel marketers and labour unions of monopolistic pricing practices and restricting workers’ rights to unionise. Although government intervention temporarily eased tensions, many of the sacked engineers say they remain at home awaiting official recall or posting letters.
Some workers allege that only Indian nationals are currently operating the facility, a claim the Dangote Group has strongly denied, saying more than 3,000 Nigerians still work at the refinery.
The Federal Government has stepped in to mediate the crisis, directing the company to redeploy affected employees rather than terminate their contracts. As of Tuesday, the engineers said they had yet to receive formal communication regarding their next assignments.
While the controversy continues, prominent Nigerians including Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and activist Aisha Yesufu have urged labour unions to avoid actions that could discourage foreign investment.
For now, the refinery’s local engineers remain in limbo — waiting for clarity on whether they will return to the plant they helped build or be transferred to an entirely different industry.
