Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker from Kaduna State has called on management of Dangote Refinery to reinstate workers who were recently dismissed for joining trader unions.

He described the move as a violation of constitutional rights and a threat to industrial peace in a statement on X.

He also appealed to Sani also appealed to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria to suspend its directive to cut off gas supply to the refinery, warning that such an action could harm national economic interests on Monday, September 29.

He wrote, “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.”

Sani who is also a human rights activist and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts stressed that while the refinery is a strategic national asset, it must operate within the framework of Nigeria’s labour laws and respect workers’ rights.

“The nation is proud of Dangote’s refinery and its unprecedented level of success, but the right of workers to unionise is embedded in the laws of our country,” he added.

There growing tension between refinery’s management and organised labour after PENGASSAN had alleged that over 800 workers were dismissed for joining the union—an action the union says contravenes Nigeria’s labour laws and international conventions.

The union has since ordered a nationwide shutdown of operations, including gas and crude supply to the refinery, and accused the company of replacing Nigerian workers with “over 2,000 Indians,” sparking outrage among labour circles and civil society.

Dangote refinery, in response, accused PENGASSAN of sabotage and selfish interests, citing its past opposition to reforms and privatisation efforts.

The company described the strike order as “reckless, lawless and dangerous,” stressing that it was designed to weaponise hardship against Nigerians.

It insisted the dismissals were based on safety and efficiency concerns, not anti-union victimisation, adding that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the facility.