Dangote Refinery has terminated the employment of all its Nigerian workers, effective immediately, just 24 hours after most of them joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The decision was announced in a memo signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, citing a “total re-organisation” of the refinery following reported cases of sabotage in various units.
PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo confirmed the development, stating that the union received the letter late on Wednesday and assured that all sacked workers would be recalled. “Yes, it is true. We saw the letter late last night. I can assure you that they will recall all of them,” Osifo said.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned the mass sacking, describing it as typical of Dangote’s anti-union stance.
A top NUPENG executive, who preferred anonymity, said, “That is the stuff Dangote is made of. He has shown his true colours to all Nigerians.”
The sackings have escalated tensions between Dangote Refinery and oil unions, with PENGASSAN scheduling an emergency National Executive Council meeting to decide on the next course of action.
This development comes amid ongoing disputes between the refinery and unions over unionisation rights.
