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Breaking News: Dangote Refinery Lays Off All Nigerian Workers Amid Unionization Dispute
The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has terminated the employment of all its Nigerian workers, sparking controversy over claims that the action is linked to unionization efforts.
A political commentator, Imran Wakili, disclosed the development on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, alleging that the mass dismissal occurred less than 24 hours after 90 percent of the workers joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
“Dangote Refinery has officially laid off all of its Nigerian workers under the guise of ‘reorganization’, less than 24 hours after 90% of them joined PENGASSAN,” Wakili wrote.
According to a memo dated September 25, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the company explained that the decision was part of a “total re-organisation” of the refinery, citing reported cases of sabotage in different units of the plant.
The notice instructed affected staff to hand over all company property to their line managers and secure exit clearance, while the finance department was directed to calculate and process benefits and entitlements in line with their employment terms.
The management, in the memo, expressed appreciation to the disengaged workers for their service during their time at the refinery.
Reporters reports that Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN have been locked in a heated trade dispute over the unionization of staff, a conflict that appears to have escalated with this latest development.