Shockwaves as Dangote Refinery Fires Nigerian Workers Amid Unionization Row

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has plunged into controversy following reports that all Nigerian workers were abruptly dismissed barely 24 hours after joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

A leaked internal memo, signed by the refinery’s Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, announced the immediate termination of staff employment effective September 25, 2025. The directive ordered affected workers to surrender company property and obtain exit clearances.

According to the document, the decision was part of a “total reorganisation exercise” triggered by “reported sabotage in different units of the petroleum refinery” and “major safety concerns.”

However, PENGASSAN alleges that the move was a veiled attempt to suppress workers’ right to unionise, describing the action as “a mass victimisation of Nigerian employees.” The union claims that while local staff were locked out of the refinery, expatriates continued with their duties unhindered.

The controversy has deepened with reports that staff buses were withdrawn, security operatives were mobilised against union leaders, and management allegedly circulated a union membership verification list to profile workers.

Dangote Industries, in a swift response, denied conducting a blanket mass sack, insisting that only “a reorganisation to address sabotage and leakages” was carried out. The company said the measure was not targeted at Nigerian staff or linked to union activities.

Labour analysts, however, argue that the timing raises serious concerns over workers’ rights and industrial harmony. The Nigerian labour community has vowed to monitor the situation closely, warning that an escalation could trigger nationwide protests in the oil and gas sector.

As tensions mount, the refinery—touted as Africa’s largest and Nigeria’s hope for energy security—faces questions about its labour practices and its readiness to foster a stable, inclusive workforce.