The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun a sweeping shake-up of its operations and workforce after what it described as repeated sabotage at the 650,000 barrels per day facility.
In a letter dated September 24, 2025, the company said it was “constrained to carry out a total re-organisation of the plant” following “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns.”
Affected staff were directed to hand over all company property and await clearance before their entitlements would be computed.
‘Not a Mass Sack’
A senior refinery official dismissed reports of mass sackings. He told reporters the move was a preventive clean-up exercise.
“Yes, the letter is correct. But the interpretation is wrong. The interpretation is that it affects some people because of certain things discovered in the refinery. It has nothing to do with unionism or anything like that,” the official explained.
He stressed that the measure was meant to plug leakages and protect company assets. “It doesn’t mean they have been sacked. That is incorrect. What was done was to put a check in place,” he added.
According to him, affected staff may be reabsorbed once the investigation is complete. “As soon as the issues are addressed, they will be reabsorbed. That is why it is not a sack and that word wasn’t used,” he insisted.
Sudden Action
The official said the step was taken suddenly to prevent those accused of sabotage from concealing their actions.
“Some acts of sabotage have been noticed repeatedly and the company is only trying to safeguard its assets. Also, you cannot do things like this and give two weeks’ notice; otherwise, those in the act would cover up and complicate issues,” he explained.
He assured that operations at the refinery were ongoing and that both Nigerian and expatriate staff remained at work.
“As we speak, people are still working at the refinery. The people affected know themselves, and those who did not get the letter are not affected. Anyone who doesn’t have a hand in sabotage has nothing to worry about,” he said.
Labour Tensions
The refinery, which began production in 2024 amid high expectations of ending Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, has faced several disputes.
It has clashed with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which accused the company of unfair labour practices.
The Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria also accused Dangote of rigid pricing and distribution terms that could distort the downstream market.
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