By Joy Yesufu
The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has terminated the employment of its Nigerian staff, less than 24 hours after about 90 percent of the workforce joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
In a memo dated September 25, 2025, and signed by the refinery’s Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the company said the decision formed part of a “total re-organisation” of the plant, following what it described as reported cases of sabotage in different units of the facility.
The directive instructed the affected staff to surrender all company property in their possession to their line managers and obtain exit clearance.
The finance department was also mandated to process outstanding benefits and entitlements in line with the terms of their contracts.
The management expressed appreciation to the dismissed workers for their contributions during their period of service.
The mass layoff comes against the backdrop of a lingering dispute between the refinery and PENGASSAN over unionisation rights, which has sparked tensions in recent weeks.
