Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has initiated a comprehensive reorganization of its operations and workforce to tackle repeated incidents of sabotage that have raised significant safety concerns at its 650,000 barrels-per-day facility.
In a letter dated September 24, 2025, signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, the refinery announced the need for a “total reorganization” due to “numerous reported cases of sabotage across various units.” Affected employees were instructed to return company property to their line managers and await clearance for their entitlements, which will be calculated by the Finance Department based on their employment terms.
A senior official at Dangote Petroleum Refinery clarified to *The PUNCH* on Friday that the reorganization is not a mass layoff, as widely reported, but a strategic effort to curb sabotage and protect the company’s assets. “The letter is authentic, but its interpretation has been misrepresented. This is about addressing specific issues discovered within the refinery, not unionism or mass sackings,” the official stated.
The official emphasized that the reorganization aims to identify and eliminate sources of sabotage, with affected workers potentially being reinstated once the issues are resolved. “It’s a cleanup to address leakages and safeguard operations. The term ‘sack’ was never used. Those involved in sabotage know who they are, and the exercise was conducted swiftly to prevent cover-ups,” the official added.
The refinery remains fully operational, with both Nigerian and expatriate staff continuing their duties. “Those unaffected by the reorganization have no cause for concern,” the official noted. Attempts to reach Dangote spokesperson Anthony Chiejina for comment were unsuccessful.
The disengagement letter, obtained by *The PUNCH*, addressed to all staff of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE and Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company, stated: “Due to repeated sabotage incidents raising major safety concerns, the Management is constrained to reorganize the plant. As a result, your services are no longer required effective September 25, 2025. Please surrender all company property to your line manager and await further instructions on exit clearance. The Finance Department will compute your benefits, subject to obtaining clearance.”
Since commencing operations in 2024, the refinery has faced challenges, including disputes with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers over labor practices and safety standards, as well as tensions with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria regarding product pricing and distribution terms. Despite these hurdles, the refinery was launched with high expectations of reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products.
