“Yes, It Is True” – PENGASSAN Confirms Dangote Refinery Sacked All Nigerian Workers

A new crisis is unfolding in Nigeria’s oil sector as Dangote Refinery reportedly dismissed all its Nigerian workers shortly after they joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). The development was confirmed by PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo in an interview.

According to reports, the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery terminated the employment of its Nigerian staff just 24 hours after they became union members. Osifo, who also serves as the President of the Nigeria Trade Union Congress, assured that the workers would be reinstated. “Yes, it is true. We saw the latter late last night (Wednesday). I can assure you that they will recall all of them,” he said.

Dangote Group’s spokesperson, Anthony Chijiena, had not responded to enquiries from DAILY POST as of the time of reporting.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over worker unionization. NUPENG had earlier declared a strike, which was later suspended following Federal Government intervention. The refinery also recently obtained an interim injunction preventing the union and its affiliates from striking, though the order has since expired.