September 26, 2025
The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that the sweeping reorganization of its operations and workforce, was in response to repeated sabotage by staff members that threatened the operational safety of it refinery.
In a letter signed by the Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle and dated September 24, 2025, the refinery said it was “constrained to carry out a total reorganization of the plant” following “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns.”
The affected staff were directed to hand over all company property in their possession to their line managers and await clearance before receiving their entitlements, to be computed by the Finance Department in line with their conditions of service.
Recently the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has alleged that Nigerian workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals were dismissed shortly after joining the union, accusing management of intimidation and violation of constitutional rights.In a statement signed by branch chairman Abdulfatai Muhammed and branch secretary Eseoghene Choice. PENGASSAN said these events unfolded within 24 hours of the staff unionizing.
READ MORE; Dangote’s 4,000 CGN Trucks Insufficient For Petrol Supply Nationwide — PETROAN
However, a senior official of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals dismissed reports that the company sacked workers en masse, insisting that the recent development was a reorganization exercise aimed at curbing sabotage within the plant.
Speaking on Friday, the official, who confirmed the authenticity of the disengagement letter, stressed that its interpretation had been largely misrepresented.
“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 said.
According to him, the move was designed to plug leakages and protect the company’s assets following repeated acts of sabotage.
He explained that “It doesn’t mean they have been sacked. That is incorrect. What was done was to put a check in place. It is more like a clean-up in the system to check where those sabotage and leakages are coming from and then address them. 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,” exercise was carried out suddenly to prevent those involved in the alleged sabotage from concealing their actions.
READ MORE; Aliko Dangote Accuses NUPENG Of Imposed Truck Charges
“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,”
The official further clarified that refinery operations were ongoing with both Nigerians and expatriates still actively working.
“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 stressed.
A copy of the disengagement letter, obtained on Friday, was addressed to all staff of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals FZE and Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company.
It read, “In view of the many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns, the Management is constrained to carry out a total re-organization of the plant.
“As a consequence of this development, we wish to inform you that your services are no longer required, with effect from the eve of Thursday, the 25th September, 2025.
“Please surrender all the Company’s properties in your possession to your line manager and obtain an exit clearance accordingly, but the date for doing so will be communicated to you later.
READ MORE; Dangote Refinery, DAPPMAN Faceoff Over Demand For N1.5 Trillion Annual Subsidy To Match Depot Prices
“The Finance Department, by a copy of this letter, is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment and conditions of service and pay the amount due to you (less all indebtedness), subject to the condition that you have obtained the exit clearance certificate as mentioned above.
“We seize this opportunity to thank you for your services while you were in our employment.”
The refinery, which commenced production in 2024 amid fanfare and expectations of ending Nigeria’s decades-long reliance on imported petroleum products, is already battling operational turbulence and industrial disputes.
When contacted, Dangote spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, did not respond to messages sent to him for response.
The Dangote refinery was recently embroiled in a row with PENGASSAN and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria over unionization, labour practices and safety standards, and product pricing and distribution arrangements.
