The management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has terminated the employment of its Nigerian workers, less than 24 hours after the majority of them joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), DAILY POST reports.

In a memo dated September 25, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the company said the decision was part of a “total re-organisation” of the refinery following reported cases of sabotage in different units of the plant.

The notice directed the affected employees to immediately surrender all company property in their possession to their line managers and obtain exit clearance. The finance department was also instructed to compute benefits and entitlements for payment in line with their contracts.

“Management wishes to thank all affected employees for their services to the refinery,” the memo read in part.

The mass dismissal comes amid a lingering industrial dispute between Dangote Refinery and oil and gas unions over workers’ rights to unionise. PENGASSAN and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) had earlier accused the refinery of resisting union membership, threatening nationwide action if the company continued with its stance.

The latest development is expected to heighten tensions between Dangote Refinery and organised labour, with union leaders already hinting at possible strike action.