Dangote Refinery has launched a sweeping reorganisation of its workforce, citing repeated sabotage that threatened safety at its $20 billion facility.
In a letter dated Sept. 24, Dangote refinery said it was “constrained to carry out a total reorganisation of the plant” after “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns.”
Affected workers were told to surrender company property and await clearance before entitlements would be paid. The move sparked speculation of mass layoffs, but a senior refinery official dismissed the claim, saying the development was misinterpreted.
“Yes, the letter is correct. But the interpretation is wrong,” the official said in a local report. “It is not about unionism. It is about curbing sabotage. Some workers were affected, but they are not permanently sacked. Once issues are resolved, they may be reabsorbed.”
He said the decision was made abruptly to prevent those accused of sabotage from covering their tracks. “You cannot give two weeks’ notice. Otherwise, those in the act would cover up and complicate issues,” he explained.
The refinery, which started production in 2024 to cut Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel, has faced turbulence in recent months, including disputes with unions and marketers.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) recently accused the plant of “high-handedness” and raised safety concerns.
Adding fuel to tensions, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has summoned an emergency meeting after reports that most Nigerian workers were laid off less than 24 hours after joining the union.
Its president, Festus Osifo, said the union would decide on the “way forward” over the weekend, warning of possible strike action that could disrupt Nigeria’s oil sector.
