The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has issued an ultimatum to the management of Dangote Refinery, demanding the recall of more than 800 Nigerian workers allegedly dismissed and replaced with foreign nationals.

The union, in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Mr. Lumumba Okugbawa, and released in Abuja on Friday, condemned the development as anti-labour and a breach of Nigerian laws.

It recalled that workers who joined the union at the refinery had earlier been denied entry, compelled to pay for transport after company buses were withdrawn, and later served mass termination notices.

PENGASSAN alleged that the refinery has engaged over 2,000 Indian workers, many without valid immigration documents, to replace the disengaged Nigerians.

“We are deeply saddened to report the unjust termination of more than 800 Nigerian workers, whose dedication and service have been integral to the operations of this plant. Instead of valuing this workforce, management has chosen to replace them with foreign workers, in clear breach of the Labour Act and the Trade Union Act,” the statement read.

The association warned that Nigerian workers must be treated with dignity and respect, stressing that failure to recall the dismissed employees would compel it to activate all legal options under the Constitution and labour laws.

“PENGASSAN therefore urges the management of Dangote Refinery to recall all terminated Nigerian workers. Failure to comply will leave us with no option but to take every legal action available to us as an association,” it declared.

The union announced that an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting had been convened to determine its next steps. It also called on Nigerians to support the struggle.

“This slave labour of our brothers and sisters must not be supported. An injury to one is an injury to all,” the statement added.