New Year Sack Letters Cause Crisis at Unity Bank as Union Steps In

 

The tension between Unity Bank Plc and its workers has continued to draw public attention after the Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institutions issued a firm ultimatum to the bank over the dismissal of more than 100 employees. The union has given Unity Bank until January 8 2026 to reverse the terminations and reinstate the affected staff or risk possible industrial action across the financial sector.

For many of the workers involved the new year began with confusion fear and deep emotional pain. On January 1 2026 several employees reportedly received termination letters without prior warning. According to accounts from the union the Managing Director of Unity Bank Ebenezer Kolawole instructed the human resources department to issue the letters and immediately block the affected workers from accessing the bank’s internal systems. This sudden move meant that staff who resumed work with hope for a fresh year were instantly shut out of their jobs and professional lives.

The union described the development as a New Year shock saying the manner in which the dismissals were carried out showed no regard for human dignity or established procedures. Some of the affected workers were said to have collapsed after receiving the news while others reportedly required medical attention due to stress and related health issues. These stories have added a human face to what might otherwise be seen as a routine corporate decision.

ASSBIFI strongly condemned the action calling it provocative and unacceptable especially within the context of the ongoing merger involving Unity Bank and Providus Bank Plc. According to the union there had been a clear understanding between management and staff representatives that no employee would be laid off as a result of the merger without proper consultation. The sudden terminations therefore came as a betrayal of trust and a violation of earlier agreements.

Workers affected by the sackings have accused Unity Bank of wrongful termination and breaching provisions of the Nigerian Labour Act. They argue that due process was not followed and that they were not given fair notice or opportunity to engage with management before losing their jobs. For many of them the bank was not just a place of work but a source of stability for their families dependants and long term plans.

In a letter dated January 2 2026 and signed by the Acting President of ASSBIFI Nike Joseph the union demanded the immediate recall of at least 42 workers initially identified while further investigations into the full number of affected staff continued. The letter warned that failure to reverse the dismissals would leave the union with no choice but to consider industrial action. The union also requested an urgent meeting with Unity Bank management to discuss the issue and find a peaceful solution.

According to ASSBIFI the ultimatum was not issued as a threat but as a last effort to open dialogue and prevent escalation. The union said its goal was to protect workers rights while also ensuring stability in the banking sector. It stressed that unresolved labour disputes in major financial institutions could have wider consequences for public confidence and industrial harmony in Nigeria.

The situation has also attracted the attention of civil society groups and labour advocates. Comrade Basah Mohammed a known civil rights advocate described the incident as part of a growing pattern within bank mergers where workers often suffer the most. He said that while mergers and restructuring are sometimes necessary for business growth the human cost is often ignored.

According to him job losses in the banking sector go beyond statistics. Each affected worker represents a household that depends on a regular income children whose education may be disrupted and families suddenly pushed into uncertainty. He warned that actions like this weaken trust in institutions and deepen public fear about job security in Nigeria’s financial system.

He called on financial regulators labour leaders and Unity Bank management to handle the matter with openness fairness and compassion. He stressed that transparency is key in rebuilding trust and ensuring that corporate decisions do not destroy lives in the process.

The Unity Bank labour dispute has once again raised questions about workers protection in Nigeria’s banking industry especially during mergers and acquisitions. While banks focus on balance sheets profitability and shareholder value employees remain the backbone of daily operations. When decisions affecting their livelihoods are taken without consultation it creates resentment and instability.

As the January 8 deadline approaches many eyes are now on Unity Bank to see how it will respond to the ASSBIFI ultimatum. A positive resolution could ease tensions and set an example for how labour issues should be managed during corporate restructuring. Failure to act however may lead to industrial action that could disrupt banking services and further damage the bank’s public image.

For the affected workers and their families the issue is not just about policy or procedure. It is about dignity fairness and the right to be treated as humans not numbers. The coming days will determine whether dialogue and empathy will prevail or whether the dispute will deepen in Nigeria’s already fragile employment landscape.