Halliburton sued over alleged workplace discrimination in Nigeria

A Nigerian-Norwegian expatriate, Olukayode Togun, has sued Halliburton Energy Services Inc. at the National Industrial Court, alleging workplace discrimination, unfair labor practices, and wrongful termination disguised as redundancy. Mr Togun, a former group business development manager with the company, alleged that Halliburton subjected him to unequal treatment compared to other expatriate staff in its Nigerian operations.

In the suit marked NICN/ LA/268/2025, he claimed that, despite holding Norwegian citizenship, he was denied several expatriate entitlements routinely granted to foreign employees, including housing, education, hardship allowances, and higher salaries.

Mr Togun’s counsel described the company’s actions as constructive dismissal and a breach of both Nigerian and international labour standards. The claimant is seeking a declaration that his termination was unlawful and discriminatory under the International Labour Organisation Conventions, Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He is also requesting that the court order the full vesting of his earned stock units, payment of early retirement benefits amounting to about ₦226 million, along with all applicable taxes and costs, a severance package equivalent to 60 months’ salary, and ₦100 million for relocation expenses. The case has not yet been assigned to a judge for hearing. NAN