The leadership of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has revealed a comprehensive restructuring of its operations and workforce, prompted by repeated sabotage incidents that jeopardized the safety of its 650,000-barrels-perrefinery-fuel-delay-filling-stations-shutdown/” title=”Nigerian Filling Stations Close Amid Delays in Dangote … Fuel Distribution Rollout”>-day refinery.
In an official communication dated September 24, 2025, signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, the refinery disclosed that it was compelled to implement a full-scale reorganisation due to multiple sabotage reports across various refinery units, which raised significant safety alarms.
Employees impacted by this decision were instructed to return all company assets to their supervisors and await formal clearance before receiving any due compensation, with the Finance Department tasked to calculate these payments according to the terms of service.
Nonetheless, a high-ranking Dangote Refinery official refuted claims of widespread layoffs, emphasizing that the initiative was a strategic cleanup rather than a dismissal, aimed at halting sabotage activities.
“The letter is accurate, but the interpretation is mistaken. Only certain individuals are affected due to findings within the refinery. This action is unrelated to petroleum-marketers-claim-68-percent-national-supply-reject-dangote-capacity/” title=”… Marketers Assert They Supply 68% of Nation's Fuel, Challenge Dangote's Capacity Claims”>union activities,” the official clarified to the press on Friday.
He explained that the measure was designed to seal operational vulnerabilities and safeguard company assets.
“This does not equate to termination. It is a precautionary step. Once the issues are resolved, those affected will be reinstated. That is why the term ‘dismissal’ was deliberately avoided,” he added.
The official noted the urgency of the action was to prevent those involved in sabotage from covering their tracks.
“Given the recurring sabotage incidents, immediate intervention was necessary. Providing advance notice would have allowed perpetrators to conceal their misconduct and complicate resolution efforts,” he stated.
He further assured that refinery operations continue uninterrupted, with both local and foreign personnel actively engaged.
“Currently, the refinery remains operational. Those impacted are aware of their status, and employees not receiving the notice are unaffected. Anyone uninvolved in sabotage has no cause for concern,” he affirmed.
A copy of the disengagement letter, reviewed by journalists, was addressed to all staff of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE and Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company.
The letter read in part, “Due to the numerous recent sabotage incidents across various refinery units causing serious safety issues, management is compelled to undertake a complete reorganisation of the plant.
“Consequently, we inform you that your services will no longer be required effective from the evening of Thursday, September 25, 2025.”
The Finance Department was instructed to finalize benefits and entitlements once affected employees complete the clearance process.
Since commencing operations in 2024 with the ambitious goal of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, the refinery has encountered several challenges.
It has experienced disputes with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over labor conditions and safety protocols, with the union accusing management of authoritarian practices.
Additionally, the refinery has been at odds with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), which criticized Dangote for enforcing stringent distribution terms that could potentially disrupt the downstream petroleum market.
