Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the immediate termination of all its Nigerian workers. The decision follows the recent enrollment of 90 percent of the staff in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which occurred less than 24 hours earlier. In 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 dismissals, reportedly in response to alleged sabotage in various units.
The memo instructed the affected employees to return all company property to their line managers and to obtain exit clearance. The finance department has been tasked with calculating benefits and entitlements for the dismissed workers in accordance with their employment terms. The refinery’s management also expressed gratitude to the terminated staff for their service.
This development is the latest episode in an ongoing trade dispute between Dangote refinery and PENGASSAN over unionisation issues. The two parties have been at odds, negotiating the terms of employee representation. The mass termination of Nigerian workers is expected to have significant implications for the refinery’s operations and for the broader oil‑and‑gas industry in Nigeria.
As the situation unfolds, attention will focus on the refinery’s next steps and PENGASSAN’s response. The Dangote refinery, one of Nigeria’s largest oil‑refining facilities, has long been a major player in the country’s energy sector. The current dispute and resulting terminations may affect the refinery’s productivity and its relationships with stakeholders, including employees, unions, and regulatory bodies.
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