A major storm is brewing in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector after a leaked memo suggested that the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has terminated the employment of all its staff members, reportedly for joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The memo, sighted by Tribune Online and shared on X by political commentator Imran Wakili, was addressed to all staff of the 650,000 barrels per day refinery, Africa’s largest.
Signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, the memo cited a “total re-organisation” as the reason for the mass termination. It also linked the decision to alleged cases of sabotage in different refinery units, which it claimed had raised “major safety concerns.”
The notice read in part:
“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. The Finance Department… is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment and conditions of service.”
However, Wakili alleged that the action came less than 24 hours after 90 percent of the refinery’s workforce joined PENGASSAN, sparking concerns that the dismissals may be linked to unionisation efforts rather than restructuring.
The development has already stirred heated debate online, with labour watchers warning it could trigger a full-blown industrial crisis in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector if confirmed.
As of press time, neither Dangote Petroleum Refinery nor PENGASSAN has issued an official response to the reports.
