The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has terminated the employment of all its Nigerian workers, citing “reorganization” as the reason.
The decision was announced in a memo dated September 25, 2025, and signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management.
According to reports, the termination comes less than 24 hours after 90% of the workers joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria. The company claims the decision is part of a “total re-organisation” following reported cases of sabotage at the refinery.
The affected staff have been directed to surrender company property and obtain exit clearance. The finance department has been instructed to compute benefits and entitlements for payment in line with employment terms.
The refinery’s management expressed gratitude to the dismissed workers for their services. This development is the latest in the ongoing trade dispute between Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN over unionization issues.
A disagreement blew open earlier this month when the NUPENG alleged that the refinery sought to bar drivers of its 4,000 compressed natural gas trucks from joining any union.
The union described the move as an assault on freedom of association guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and international conventions.
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NUPENG argues that refinery managers and MRS, a logistics company owned by Dantata, required drivers to sign undertakings not to join oil and gas unions.
The union reacted by shutting down depots and fuel stations nationwide on September 8. Petrol queues built up across major cities as tankers parked at depot gates in protest.
The industrial action was suspended when both sides signed the MoU in Abuja.
At that meeting, Labour Minister Muhammadu Dingyadi presided as representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Trade Union Congress, DSS, and other agencies witnessed the signing.
The understanding was meant to guarantee drivers’ rights and allow normal operations at the refinery.
However, NUPENG alleged that within 48 hours the agreement was broken.
Drivers were allegedly forced into the refinery without following union loading rules.
The leadership said this act amounted to provocation and disregard for the presence of government guarantors.
But Dangote Petroleum Refinery dismissed the allegations as “wholly inaccurate” and said its investment was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
The company said it had launched 4,000 CNG trucks and planned to create more than 60,000 direct jobs.
It argued that the employment packages exceeded national standards and included pensions, health insurance, housing support, and medical cover.
“Far from threatening livelihoods, this initiative is expected to create over 60,000 direct jobs and many more indirectly,” the statement read.
The refinery also rejected claims of monopoly, pointing to the 30 refinery licences already issued to other investors.
The company said its investment had already stabilised the domestic market, cutting diesel prices by more than 30% in the past year.
On its part, NUPENG accused the refinery of “impunity” and warned that government security agencies should not be used as private enforcement arms.
“His wealth cannot make him above the law. Security agents should not allow an individual to ride roughshod even while not observing terms of agreement reached in meetings in which they themselves facilitated,” Akporeha said.
The union placed members on red alert for the resumption of nationwide strikes. It also called on the NLC, the TUC, and international labour allies to prepare solidarity action.
NUPENG’s general secretary, Afolabi Olawale, said the refinery was planning to use towing trucks to remove vehicles blocking non-compliant drivers.
In response, the union reinforced its blockade at the refinery gates on Friday.
Crediblenewsng.com
