In a nation grappling with economic hardship and a desperate need for industrial progress, the Dangote Refinery stands as a beacon of hope, or so it was meant to be. As Africa’s largest refinery, commissioned in May 2023 with the capacity to process 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, it promised to end Nigeria’s reliance on fuel imports and create thousands of jobs. Yet, anonymous messages leaked to Lens News paint a starkly different picture: one of systemic exploitation, racial disparities, and a toxic work environment that prioritizes foreign workers over locals. These revelations demand urgent scrutiny, not just for the sake of the affected employees, but for the integrity of Nigeria’s flagship industrial project
The messages, sent by purported refinery staff seeking anonymity for fear of reprisal, highlight a litany of grievances. Local Nigerian engineers report earning between ₦300,000 and ₦400,000 monthly, with managers scraping by on ₦700,000 to ₦800,000 only after overtime – figures they claim pale in comparison to salaries at other oil and gas firms. Graduate engineers start at a net ₦318,000, while confirmed engineers earn ₦383,000. In contrast, Indian expatriates, many allegedly with inflated credentials and minimal skills, are said to receive no less than $2,500 monthly, equivalent to over ₦4 million at current exchange rates. Even unskilled Indian technicians reportedly earn at least ₦1.2 million (60,000 INR), triple the pay of Nigerian graduate trainees. This disparity extends beyond wages: Indians enjoy sponsored accommodation, food, and flight tickets, while local staff “enjoy nothing,” as one message bluntly states.
These claims echo broader reports of favoritism toward Indian workers, who number around 11,000 at the refinery due to a perceived lack of skilled Nigerian labor. The messages point fingers at Devakumar V.G. Edwin, the Indian-born Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, accusing him of orchestrating this “concentration on Indians” and enabling unjust sackings in a “toxic” environment devoid of personal protective equipment (PPE) and basic freedoms. Staff describe a culture of threats and intimidation, where speaking out risks termination. One whistleblower laments, “We are always concerned why Dangote allows that man to be treating local workers that way.”
Compounding these issues is the refinery’s apparent hostility toward unions. Management reportedly warns employees against joining any, instead imposing a controlled Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) to stifle genuine representation. This aligns with recent labor disputes, including a September 2025 strike by the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over unionization rights for tanker drivers. Dangote Refinery has countered that union membership is voluntary, not compulsory, in line with Nigerian law and International Labour Organisation conventions. However, the leaked messages suggest otherwise, with staff expressing caution about unions “because of the way those unions now operate,” fearing they could be weaponized against the company’s survival, a survival that “means a lot” to them amid Nigeria’s job scarcity.
These allegations are not isolated. Investigative reports have uncovered hazards, maltreatment, and human rights violations at the refinery, including assaults by security personnel, forced labor without PPE, and fatalities during construction. Indian contractors have been accused of racism and exploitation, with workers suffering injuries without adequate support. Even Indian expatriates have previously complained of poor treatment, such as during the COVID-19 lockdown when they alleged delayed payments and substandard food. Salary reviews from platforms like AmbitionBox reveal consistent gripes about low and delayed pay, with one employee noting, “No salary on correct time, more than 3 months waiting for one month salary.”
Lens News views these revelations as a wake-up call. Aliko Dangote, Nigeria’s richest man and a symbol of entrepreneurial success, has built an empire that employs tens of thousands and drives economic growth. Yet, this cannot come at the expense of fair labor practices. Preferential treatment for expatriates undermines Nigeria’s push for local content and skills development, especially when the refinery was touted as a boon for Nigerian youth. With unemployment rampant, why import 11,000 workers when local talent could be trained? The Sub-Saharan African Skills and Apprenticeship Stakeholders Network has rightly called for bridging this skills gap through national frameworks and public awareness.
Moreover, suppressing unions violates workers’ rights and invites industrial unrest, as seen in NUPENG’s actions. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has backed NUPENG, threatening to join strikes if unionization is resisted. Such conflicts could disrupt fuel supply, exacerbating Nigeria’s energy woes.
We urge the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), and Immigration authorities to investigate these claims thoroughly. Are expatriate quotas being violated? Are work permits in order? Dangote Group must prioritize competitive local wages, domestication of staff, and genuine union access to foster a sustainable workforce. As one message pleads, staff are “trying to be careful not to be used against the company progress,” but silence enables abuse.
Nigeria deserves a refinery that uplifts its people, not one that exploits them. It’s time for transparency and reform, before the shadows engulf the light.
