Former Kaduna lawmaker, Senator Shehu Sani, has urged the management of Dangote Refinery to reinstate workers allegedly dismissed for joining trade unions, describing the action as a violation of constitutional rights and a potential threat to industrial harmony.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Sani appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to suspend its directive to cut off gas supply to the multi-billion-dollar refinery. He warned that such a move could have dire consequences for the country’s economic stability.
“Dangote should recall the workers sacked because of their decision to join their trade unions. PENGASSAN should suspend their decision to cut off gas supply to the Dangote Refinery,” the senator wrote.
His intervention comes amid rising tensions between the refinery’s management and organised labour. PENGASSAN has alleged that more than 800 workers were recently dismissed for affiliating with the union, insisting that the move contravenes Nigeria’s labour laws as well as international labour conventions.
The dispute has heightened concerns over industrial peace in one of Africa’s largest refineries, seen as central to Nigeria’s drive toward self-sufficiency in petroleum products.
Neither the management of Dangote Refinery nor PENGASSAN has issued an official response to Sani’s appeal as of press time.
Labour leaders have maintained that unionisation is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions ratified by the country. They argue that any attempt to stifle such rights sets a dangerous precedent for workers across industries.
Industrial relations experts have also warned that a prolonged standoff could disrupt operations at the Dangote Refinery, a facility widely regarded as critical to Nigeria’s quest to end fuel importation and stabilise domestic supply.
The refinery, inaugurated in 2023, is one of the largest single-train refineries in the world, with a reported processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Analysts say any disruption to its operations could have ripple effects on energy costs, foreign exchange savings, and employment opportunities.
Senator Sani, known for his strong pro-labour stance, stressed that dialogue remains the best path forward. “Industrial peace is in the interest of the refinery, the workers, and the nation. The rights of workers must be respected, and the economic stability of the country must not be jeopardised,” he added in his statement.
As tensions mount, all eyes are now on both Dangote management and PENGASSAN to see whether they will heed the call for restraint and dialogue in resolving the dispute.
