The Nigerian workers were ordered to be arrested by Dangote, who also allowed Indians and Pakistanis inside the refinery.

Workers at Dangote Refinery in Nigeria who are members of PENGASSAN, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, have documented the treatment they received from the refinery’s president, Aliko Dangote.

A letter to the zonal chairman of PENGASSAN Lagos Zone, signed by Abdulfaitai Muhammed and Eseoghene Choice, the Caretaker Committee Chairman and Secretary of the Branch, was seen by XANDERTECH and divulged this information.

The disgruntled employees claim that Aliko Dangote told the security guards at his company to bar all Nigerian nationals from entering the refinery, with the exception of Muslims from Pakistan and India.

Employees reported receiving multiple emails from the business requesting the return of staff transportation.

Additionally, the staff at Dangote Refinery reported receiving an email from upper management announcing the termination of all appointments at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to the employees, Dangote also ordered the company’s security detail to apprehend and hold them.

According to the workers, these treatment occurred after they willingly joined PENGASSAN, in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution.

As a result, the employees argued that Dangote’s behaviour was in stark contrast to the right to freedom of assembly and association guaranteed by Section 40 of the Constitution of 1990.

Management sent a list for staff to validate their membership in PENGASSAN in an effort to physically verify that personnel willingly decided to join.

The members were requested to indicate their membership in PENGANSSAN during a meeting that was held with them. In a resounding “yes,” the Refinery personnel responded.

All shift buses were ordered to be taken “under maintenance” at approximately 5:00 p.m., and employees were instructed to use their own money to get to and from work.

Just to show up for work, members had to shell out as much as $4,000. Our teammates remained composed and avoided confrontation, all while making sacrifices to be there at work, even though this provocation occurred.

Staff members who had enrolled with PENGASSAN were refused access to the system later in the evening, specifically between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m.

they were told that only foreign nationals, including Indians, Pakistanis, and others, were allowed admission to the refinery, and that this was a directive from Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Workers were notified of their mass termination by email at approximately 9:59 pm today. Danielgote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE “All Staff” was the recipient of the dismissal letter.

“Intimidation of Union Leaders: We overheard the GM-Human Asset Management directing the security department to arrest and detain the Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman” (see attached).

An intimidation tactic directed against a union leader.

There are signs that further layoffs will be announced tomorrow (Friday), which would further undermine workers’ rights and union efforts.

Section 40 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution (as amended) of 1999 guarantees the right of every citizen to freely assemble and associate, including the right to form or belong to a trade union for the protection of their interests. Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s actions are a clear violation of this provision.

Workers are being victimised and intimidated for just exercising their right to freedom of association, according to the events that have transpired. The letter claimed that the Caretaker Committee is still dedicated to the battle and is requesting immediate assistance and direction from the leadership.

According to the DAILY POST, Dangote Refinery confirmed the widespread termination of appointments in a statement they released on Friday.

This follows hours of reports in DAILY POST that the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery fired Nigerian employees for being PENGASSAN members.

Festus Osifo, head of PENGASSAN, has said that the fired employees will be reinstated by the firm.

According to the DAILY POST, PENGASSAN called an emergency meeting of the National Executive Council to discuss the issue.