Dangote Refinery Denies Mass Sack, Confirms Workforce Reorganisation

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has announced a major reorganisation of its operations and workforce in response to repeated acts of sabotage that threatened the safety of its 650,000-barrels-per-day facility.

In a letter dated September 24, 2025, signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the company stated it was “constrained to carry out a total reorganisation of the plant” following “several reported cases of sabotage in different refinery units, leading to serious safety concerns.”

Affected staff were instructed to return all company property to their line managers and obtain clearance before receiving their entitlements, which would be processed by the Finance Department in line with existing employment terms.

However, a senior official of the refinery clarified that the move should not be interpreted as mass layoffs, stressing it was a targeted reorganisation exercise aimed at addressing sabotage within the facility.

“Yes, the letter is authentic, but the interpretation that it represents a mass sack is wrong,” the official said. “This action is about plugging leakages and protecting company assets. Once the issues are resolved, affected staff may be reabsorbed. That is why it cannot be called a sack.”

He explained that the sudden implementation of the exercise was necessary to prevent those involved in sabotage from concealing their activities.

“Some acts of sabotage have been noticed repeatedly, and the company must protect its operations. You cannot announce such actions in advance, or those responsible would cover their tracks,” he added.

The official also confirmed that refinery operations remain active, with both Nigerian and expatriate staff still working on site. “Anyone who has no hand in sabotage has nothing to worry about,” he said.

A copy of the internal memo, addressed to staff of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE and Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company, stated:

“In view of the many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns, Management is constrained to carry out a total reorganisation of the plant.

As a consequence, we wish to inform you that your services are no longer required with effect from Thursday, September 25, 2025. Please surrender all company properties in your possession to your line manager and obtain an exit clearance. The Finance Department is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment, subject to completion of clearance.”

Despite the restructuring, refinery operations continue, though the plant has recently faced industrial and market disputes. The facility, which began production in 2024 with hopes of reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, has been engaged in a labour dispute with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over workplace practices and safety issues.

It has also clashed with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria over distribution terms and pricing policies, with marketers accusing the refinery of creating conditions that could distort the downstream oil market.