A civil society group, Save the Republic, has strongly condemned the reported dismissal of over 800 Nigerian engineers and workers by the Dangote Refinery allegedly for attempting to join a trade union. The group, led by activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju, described the action as a serious violation of workers’ rights and called for urgent government intervention.
In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Adeyanju, the group expressed deep concern over the growing reports that the affected workers were relieved of their duties after pushing to exercise their right to unionise, a right protected by the Nigerian Constitution and labour laws.
“The right to organise is a constitutional guarantee under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended,” said Adeyanju. “It is important that Nigerian workers are able to exercise this right without fear of dismissal or intimidation.”
He noted that the Trade Unions Act also guarantees workers the right to associate freely and collectively bargain for their welfare. Any attempt by employers, regardless of their size or status, to undermine these rights, the group argued, sets a dangerous precedent and must be addressed.
The group added that the issue is bigger than labour rights alone. It said the situation also raises questions about public accountability, given the level of government support the Dangote Refinery has enjoyed. Adeyanju pointed out that the refinery, which is one of the largest in Africa, has benefited from government-backed funding, policy support, and special licences.
“When a project of this scale has received extraordinary state support, Nigerians have a right to demand fair treatment of workers and full transparency in employment practices,” the statement read.
Save the Republic also called attention to growing concerns that some of the jobs previously held by Nigerian engineers are now being filled by foreign workers. This, it said, must be investigated thoroughly to ensure that Nigerians are not being unfairly displaced in their own country.
“This is not only a matter of labour relations but also of national interest,” Adeyanju said. “The Nigerian government must take a stand to ensure that no company, regardless of its influence or contribution to the economy, operates above the law.”
The group urged relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate the situation and ensure justice is done.
Despite its strong criticism, Save the Republic said its intention is not to target Dangote personally or to discredit the refinery, which it described as a key project for Nigeria’s industrial future. Instead, it said its aim is to ensure that fairness and workers’ rights are not sacrificed in the name of economic growth.
“Nobody wants to kill the Dangote Refinery,” Adeyanju said. “We all want Dangote to work, but we also want the rights of the Nigerian worker to be respected.”
To this end, the group recommended the reinstatement of the affected workers and urged both sides to return to the negotiation table. It also commended the DSS and the Ministry of Labour and Employment for their initial efforts in addressing the dispute.
“We believe in peaceful dialogue,” the group stated. “Our position is not against the refinery or its management. It is about ensuring fairness and protecting the dignity of Nigerian workers through constructive dialogue.”
The group concluded by saying it would continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with stakeholders until the issue is resolved in a manner that upholds the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers.
