Dangote Refinery restructures staff over sabotage claims, rejects mass layoff rumors

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has launched a reshuffle of its staff and operations after multiple sabotage incidents threatened safety at the 650,000 barrels per day plant. Management insists the move is a strategic cleanup, not mass termination.

In a letter released and signed by Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, on September 24, 2025, the company explained the need for an extensive overhaul following numerous reports of deliberate disruptions in various refinery units. Staff affected by this rearrangement were instructed to return all company assets to their supervisors and await clearance and financial settlements.

However, a senior refinery official clarified  that the message has been misunderstood by many. He emphasized that the actions were prompted by the discovery of sabotage and were necessary to secure company assets, not a mass firing. He added that those temporarily disengaged will be re-employed once the issues have been resolved.

The sudden nature of the operation was deliberate, as giving advance notice could have allowed perpetrators to hide their activities.

Production at the refinery remains unaffected, and both Nigerian and expatriate workers continue with normal operations. The official urged unaffected employees and the general public to disregard rumors of mass dismissals stressing that only those involved in sabotage are impacted.

The refinery, which began operations in 2024 amid high hopes to end Nigeria’s long dependence on imported petroleum products, has faced challenges including labor disputes and conflicts with industry groups over pricing and safety protocols.

Past clashes with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers raised concerns about workplace fairness and safety. Additionally, friction with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria arose over product distribution terms that some marketers described as restrictive.