Dangote Refinery Sacks Workers For Joining PENGASSAN

Dangote Refinery Sacks Workers For Joining PENGASSAN

 Less than 24 hours after some Dangote Petroleum workers joined PENGASSAN, the company’s management terminated their employment.

This information was shared on Wednesday via X by political commentator Imran Wakili.

However, a senior refinery official rejected claims of a mass layoff, stating that the recent move was part of a reorganization effort to address sabotage within the plant.

Wakili wrote, “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 emphasized that the action followed shortly after the majority of workers joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

According to a memo dated September 25, 2025, signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, and posted by Wakili on X, the company cited a “total reorganization” due to reported sabotage incidents across various refinery units.

The notice required affected employees to return all company property to their line managers and obtain exit clearance.

The finance department was tasked with calculating and processing benefits and entitlements based on employment terms.

The refinery’s management expressed appreciation for the services of the affected workers.

Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN have been engaged in a dispute over unionization issues. The company said the decision responded to repeated sabotage by staff that endangered the safety of the 650,000 barrels-per-day facility.

In a letter dated September 24, 2025, also signed by Femi Adekunle, the refinery said it was “compelled to conduct a total reorganization” following “several recent sabotage cases in various refinery units, raising serious safety concerns.”

Affected staff were directed to hand over company property to their line managers and wait for clearance before receiving entitlements calculated by the finance department as per their conditions of service.

A senior official, confirming the authenticity of the disengagement letter, stressed that its meaning had been widely misunderstood.

“Yes, the letter is accurate, but the interpretation is incorrect. It pertains to specific individuals due to findings related to sabotage at the refinery. It is unrelated to union membership or activity,” the official explained.

He said the move aimed to plug leakages and protect company assets following repeated sabotage.

“This does not mean they have been fired. That is a misconception. It was a control measure—a clean-up to identify sources of sabotage and leakages and resolve them. Once addressed, those affected will be reinstated. That is why the term ‘sack’ was not used,” he added.

The official noted the process was done swiftly to prevent those involved from covering up their actions.

“Repeated sabotage has been identified, so the company is safeguarding its assets. Advance notice isn’t possible because those responsible would conceal evidence,” he said.

He also confirmed that refinery operations continue, with both Nigerian and expatriate employees still working.

“At this time, staff are still working at the refinery. Those affected are aware, and those without letters are unaffected. Anyone not involved in sabotage has nothing to worry about,” he assured.

Attempts to reach Dangote spokesperson Anthony Chiejina were unsuccessful, as he did not reply to messages from our correspondent.