Dangote Refinery begins major staff reorganisation over sabotage fears. Management denies mass sack, says move targets operational safety

Lagos, Nigeria — The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has launched a sweeping reorganisation of its workforce and operations, citing multiple cases of internal sabotage that threatened the safety and integrity of Africa’s largest oil refinery.

Also read: DAPPMAN Urges Dangote Refinery to Cut Fuel Prices

The development follows the issuance of a company-wide disengagement letter, dated 24 September 2025, notifying affected employees of an immediate restructuring exercise aimed at plugging leakages and preventing future acts of industrial sabotage.

Contrary to reports of a mass layoff, a senior official at Dangote Refinery told The PUNCH that the move should not be misinterpreted as widespread retrenchment.

Instead, it is a targeted effort to safeguard the company’s multi-billion-dollar facility, which processes 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

“Yes, the letter is correct. But the interpretation is wrong. It’s not a sack; it’s a reorganisation,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

He confirmed that the company acted swiftly to prevent suspected saboteurs from covering their tracks, noting that the restructuring was carried out without prior notice for strategic reasons.

A copy of the letter, obtained by The PUNCH, stated:

“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 reorganisation of the plant.”

It further directed affected staff to surrender company property and await clearance for payment of entitlements, which would be computed in line with existing employment terms.

The official stressed that refinery operations remain unaffected, with both Nigerian and expatriate staff still working across various departments.

“The people affected know themselves. Those not involved in sabotage have nothing to worry about,” he said.

He reiterated that the reorganisation is part of a broader internal audit, adding that reabsorption of affected staff could occur once investigations are concluded and systemic issues are addressed.

The development comes amid ongoing tensions between Dangote Refinery and key oil workers’ unions, particularly the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which recently accused the company of unfair labour practices and “high-handedness.”

In recent months, the refinery has also been locked in disputes with the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMA) over product pricing and alleged rigid distribution terms, raising fears of market distortion in the downstream sector.

The Dangote Refinery, commissioned in 2024 with the promise of reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products, has faced mounting operational challenges, safety concerns, and industrial friction barely a year into full operations.

Insiders suggest that the recent acts of sabotage may have involved tampering with machinery, unauthorised data access, or deliberate process disruption, prompting urgent internal reviews.

Although the number of affected staff has not been disclosed, the total reorganisation directive signals a strong response to internal threats.

The company has not yet publicly addressed the claims of sabotage in detail.

Also read: DAPPMAN Urges Dangote Refinery to Cut Fuel Prices

As at press time, Dangote Group spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, had not responded to requests for comment.