Dangote Refinery has sacked over 800 Nigerian workers, citing “total reorganization” due to reported sabotage incidents. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) claims the workers were terminated less than 24 hours after joining the union, with plans to replace them with over 2,000 Indian workers, many of whom allegedly lack valid immigration documentation.
Dangote Refinery attributes the sackings to repeated sabotage incidents and safety concerns within the facility.
In a letter signed by Femi Adekunle Chief General Manager Human Asset Management, Dangote Group and received by the affected staff members that they were no longer needed effective from Thursday September 25 2025. The letter reads:
“In view of the many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns, the management is constrained to carry out a total re-organisation of the plant.
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. We seize this opportunity to thank you for your services while you were in our employment”.
PENGASSAN has condemned the action, accusing the refinery of violating labor laws and marginalizing Nigerian workers in favor of foreign labor.
PENGASSAN has given the refinery an ultimatum to recall all terminated workers, failing which they will explore legal actions and possibly stage a nationwide strike.
Over 3,000 Nigerians still work at the refinery, with the management assuring continued recruitment of Nigerian talent.
There’s a reported significant salary difference between Nigerian staff (₦383,000 monthly) and their foreign counterparts ($2,000 or more).
The situation is ongoing, with PENGASSAN scheduled to hold an emergency meeting to decide on further actions.
