Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the termination of all its Nigerian workers, effective immediately. The decision comes after 90 percent of the staff joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, less than 24 hours prior.
According to a memo dated September 25, 2025, signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, the refinery’s management cited a “total re-organisation” of the plant as the reason for the terminations. This move is reportedly in response to alleged sabotage in various units of the refinery. The memo instructed affected employees to return all company property to their line managers and obtain exit clearance.
The finance department has been directed to calculate benefits and entitlements for the dismissed workers, in accordance with their employment terms. The refinery’s management expressed gratitude to the terminated staff for their services during their time at the company.
The development is the latest in an ongoing trade dispute between Dangote refinery and PENGASSAN over unionization issues. The two parties have been at odds, with the refinery’s management and the union negotiating the terms of employee representation.
The mass termination of Nigerian workers is expected to have significant implications for the refinery’s operations and the broader oil and gas industry in Nigeria. As the situation unfolds, attention will be focused on the next steps taken by the refinery’s management and the response from PENGASSAN.
The Dangote refinery, one of Nigeria’s largest oil refining facilities, has been a major player in the country’s energy sector. The current dispute and resulting terminations may impact the refinery’s productivity and relationships with stakeholders, including employees, unions, and regulatory bodies.
