Dangote Refinery Sacks Nigerian Workers After Joining Union

Tension has erupted at the Dangote Refinery after reports emerged that all Nigerian workers were dismissed less than 24 hours after they joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

The mass layoff came through a memo dated September 25, 2025, signed by the refinery’s Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle. The document cited a “total re-organisation” of the refinery following incidents of alleged sabotage in some units. Workers were instructed to return company property to their line managers and complete exit clearance, while the finance department was tasked with calculating their benefits and entitlements.

The management expressed gratitude to the affected staff for their service, but the decision has triggered strong reactions across the oil and gas industry. PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, confirmed the development and assured that the union would press for the recall of all dismissed employees.

Political commentator Imran Wakili also drew attention to the development on X, describing it as a direct backlash against the overwhelming number of refinery workers who joined the union. He said more than 90 percent of staff had signed up before the mass sack was announced.

The incident adds to a growing standoff between the refinery and labour unions over the right of workers to organise. Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had embarked on a strike in solidarity but suspended it after federal intervention.

Although Dangote Refinery previously secured a temporary court injunction to block industrial action, that order has since lapsed, raising fears that the sector could be heading for renewed unrest if the dispute is not resolved.

The refinery, one of Nigeria’s most strategic projects, now faces a storm of labour battles that could complicate operations and further strain relations between management and organised labour.