Former lawmaker Senator Shehu Sani has urged the management of Dangote Refinery to reinstate workers allegedly dismissed for joining trade unions, describing the move as a violation of constitutional rights and a threat to industrial peace.

In a statement, 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 action could harm national economic interests.

“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 wrote.

The intervention comes amid growing tensions between the refinery’s management and organized labour. PENGASSAN alleged that over 800 workers were dismissed for joining the union, an action that contravenes Nigeria’s labour laws and international conventions.

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

Dangote Refinery responded by accusing PENGASSAN of sabotage and selfish interests, citing its past opposition to reforms and privatization efforts.

The company described the strike order as “reckless, lawless, and dangerous,” designed to weaponize hardship against Nigerians. It insisted the dismissals were based on safety and efficiency concerns, not anti-union victimization, adding that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the facility.

Sani emphasized that while the refinery is a strategic national asset, it must operate within 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 unionize is embedded in the laws of our country,” he added.

The Federal Government has called for a meeting today to resolve the dispute and prevent a broader industrial crisis in the country’s oil and gas sector.

Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, urged PENGASSAN to withdraw its strike notice, warning that an industrial shutdown would deal a heavy blow to the country’s economy and deepen hardship for Nigerians.