Dangote Refinery Sacks All Workers Less Than 24 Hours After They Joined PENGASSAN

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reportedly dismissed all of its Nigerian staff members.

The development comes less than 24 hours after 90 percent of them joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria( PENGASSAN).

The news surfaced on Friday after political commentator Imran Wakili shared a memo on X (formerly Twitter).

“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,” he wrote.

A leaked memo, addressed to employees of the refinery and signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, described the move as part of a “total reorganisation.”

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The memo also cited “recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns” as the reason behind the decision.

“As a consequence of this development, we wish to inform you that your services are no longer required, with effect from the eve of Thursday, the 25th September, 2025.

“Please surrender all the Company’s properties in your possession to your line manager and obtain an exit clearance accordingly but, the date for doing so, will be communicated to you later.

“The Finance Department, by a copy of this letter, is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment and conditions of service and pay the amount due to you (less all indebtedness), subject to the condition that you have obtained the exit clearance certificate as mentioned above,” the memo added.

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The dismissals comes amid ongoing tension between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG over fuel distribution rights across Nigeria.

Responding to the controversy, Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN and head of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), confirmed the authenticity of the memo.

He expressed confidence that the company would eventually reverse the decision.

“Yes, it is true. We saw the latter late last night. I can assure you that they will recall all of themWe will call for an emergency NEC meeting by the weekend to decide on the way forward,” he told DAILY POST.

As of the time of filing this report, Dangote Refinery has not released any statement to either confirm or deny the mass termination.

KanyiDaily recalls that NUPENG had threatened to embark on a strike over the seeming cold war between them and the management of the Dangote refinery.

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