BREAKING: Dangote Refinery Terminates Nigerian Workers’ Contracts 24 Hours After Joining PENGASSAN

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reportedly dismissed all its Nigerian workers just 24 hours after they became members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

According to inside sources, the refinery management made the shocking move by terminating the employment of its Nigerian staff across multiple departments. This action has sparked widespread concern among industry observers, given the refinery’s critical role in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

The Dangote Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos State, is one of Africa’s largest industrial projects, built to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It was expected to create thousands of jobs for Nigerians and boost the nation’s petroleum refining capacity. However, the recent decision has raised new questions about labor relations, workers’ rights, and unionization in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

PENGASSAN, which represents senior staff in the petroleum sector, has long been recognized as a key labor union advocating for fair treatment, job security, and improved welfare for oil and gas workers. The mass sack of Nigerian employees by Dangote Refinery after joining the union is being viewed by many as a direct confrontation with labor rights and freedom of association.

The incident has also attracted reactions from labor experts and civil society groups, who warn that such decisions may undermine trust in local employment while further deepening the challenges of unemployment in Nigeria. At a time when the refinery is expected to drive national industrial growth, the dismissal of local workers may also affect the company’s public perception and long-term sustainability.

Stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention from the Federal Government, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to investigate the matter and ensure that workers’ rights are not trampled upon.

While the refinery remains a beacon of industrial potential, its relationship with Nigerian workers and labor unions could significantly shape its future operations and reputation within and outside the country.