The debate over whether the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) or Aliko Dangote represents a threat to Nigeria’s national interest cannot be left to emotions, it must be based on facts.
1. The Foreign Exchange Question
Dangote secured loans for his refinery and reportedly paid them back by round-tripping Nigeria’s scarce foreign reserves. He accessed dollars at subsidized rates, re-sold them for profit, and in the process worsened dollar scarcity and exchange rates. This financial engineering was done at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.
2. Fuel Pricing Contradictions
Despite promises of cheaper fuel, Dangote Refinery sells petrol at prices equal to or higher than NNPC imports. For example, in Port Harcourt, BOVAS sells fuel at ₦880 per litre, NNPC at ₦885, while Dangote-linked outlets sell at ₦890. Nigerians have gained nothing tangible from the refinery—only the expansion of Dangote’s empire.
3. Domestic vs. Export Sales
Dangote purchases crude oil in Naira but sells refined products at international market rates, often exporting fuel to Europe and Africa for dollars. When asked to pay for crude in dollars, he threatens to also sell to Nigerians in dollars—contrary to Nigerian law, which requires all domestic transactions to be conducted in Naira.
4. Employment Practices
Despite enjoying subsidized forex, tax holidays, and state support, Dangote’s refinery reportedly employs more Indians than Nigerians. The Indian government did not contribute to the refinery’s funding, yet Indians are given preferential employment and treatment. This undermines Nigeria’s workforce and sovereignty.
5. Wage Disparities
Dangote allegedly pays Indian staff in dollars while paying Nigerians in Naira, yet sells refined fuel in dollars abroad. This double standard raises serious questions of fairness and national loyalty.
6. Labour Conditions
Reports from workers highlight poor salaries, inadequate medical care, substandard HSE practices, and oppressive conditions for Nigerian employees. In contrast, Indian staff are treated as expatriates with far better packages—an arrangement that would not be tolerated in India or elsewhere.
7. Union Suppression
When employees attempted to exercise their constitutional right to unionize, Dangote reportedly responded with mass sackings. This is a violation of Nigeria’s Constitution, Labour Acts, and ILO conventions. No investor should be allowed to place personal interests above the law of the land.
The Real Question
Those who defend Dangote against the union must ask themselves: Would you accept to be treated like his Nigerian employees in your workplace? If the answer is “no,” then conscience should dictate the truth.
PENGASSAN’s Position
For us in PENGASSAN, this is not about attacking an investor—it is about protecting national interests and defending workers’ rights. Dangote is not above the law, and he is not Nigeria’s biggest investor. Judging from his record in sugar, cement, rice, and now oil, he is arguably Nigeria’s biggest economic saboteur. Unless checked, his empire will continue to grow at the expense of the Nigerian people.
Comrade Joshua E. Owhor
For PENGASSAN
