Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has initiated a workforce reorganization at its 650,000 barrels-per-day facility, citing repeated sabotage incidents that pose significant operational safety risks. The move affects an undisclosed number of employees at Africa’s largest oil refinery, which began production in 2024 with promises to transform Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
In a September 24, 2025 letter signed by Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management Femi Adekunle, the refinery management stated it was “constrained to carry out a total reorganisation of the plant” due to “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units.” The directive requires affected staff to surrender all company property to line managers and await clearance before receiving computed entitlements according to their employment terms.
A senior Dangote Petroleum official dismissed reports of mass layoffs, characterizing the action as a strategic reorganization designed to eliminate internal security threats. Speaking to The PUNCH, the unnamed official emphasized that the measure targets specific individuals involved in sabotage activities rather than implementing broad workforce reductions.
“The interpretation is that it affects some people because of certain things discovered in the refinery,” the official explained, stressing the action has “nothing to do with unionism or anything like that.” The executive clarified that affected employees would be reabsorbed once security issues are resolved, describing the process as a “clean-up in the system.”
The refinery implemented the reorganization without advance notice to prevent alleged saboteurs from concealing their activities. Company officials justified the immediate action as necessary to protect valuable assets and maintain operational integrity at the multi-billion-dollar facility.
“You cannot do things like this and give two weeks’ notice; otherwise, those in the act would cover up and complicate issues,” the senior official stated. The executive confirmed that both Nigerian and expatriate workers continue operating the facility during the reorganization process.
The reorganization compounds existing operational difficulties at the strategic petroleum facility, which represents Nigeria’s most ambitious effort to achieve energy independence. Recent months have seen escalating tensions with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers over labor practices and safety standards.
The oil workers’ union previously accused Dangote management of “high-handedness” and warned against emerging patterns of unfair labor practices. Additionally, the refinery has clashed with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria over pricing structures and distribution arrangements.
The workforce disruption at Dangote Refinery raises questions about operational stability at a facility crucial to Nigeria’s petroleum product supply chain. Industry analysts view the refinery as central to reducing the country’s decades-long dependence on imported refined products and strengthening domestic energy security.
The facility’s production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day positions it as a regional petroleum hub, making operational continuity essential for West African energy markets. Market observers are monitoring the situation closely as any prolonged disruption could impact fuel availability and pricing across Nigeria.
Dangote spokesperson Anthony Chiejina did not respond to media inquiries regarding the reorganization, limiting official communication about the scope and duration of the workforce changes. The company’s silence has fueled speculation about the extent of internal security issues and their potential impact on production schedules.
The refinery’s management maintains that operations continue normally, with unaffected employees remaining at their posts throughout the reorganization process. However, the lack of detailed disclosure about affected worker numbers and timeline for resolution creates uncertainty in Nigeria’s critical energy infrastructure sector.