In a dramatic turn of events, the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has dismissed all of its Nigerian workers less than 24 hours after the majority of them joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The move has sparked outrage across the oil and gas sector, raising questions about labour rights and the future of industrial relations at Africa’s biggest refinery.

In a memo dated September 25, 2025, signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, the company described the mass sack as part of a “total re-organisation” following reported cases of sabotage in different units of the refinery. The directive ordered affected staff to return all company property, complete exit clearances, and await payment of entitlements from the finance department.

While the refinery’s management expressed gratitude for the workers’ past services, the timing of the decision—coming just hours after over 90 percent of staff aligned with PENGASSAN—has intensified speculation of union-busting. Labour leaders are expected to respond strongly in the coming days, with observers warning that the fallout could trigger nationwide industrial unrest.

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