Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced the dismissal of its Nigerian workforce, attributing the decision to reported cases of sabotage in several units of the plant.
In an internal memo dated September 25, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, the company said a “total reorganisation” of the refinery was necessary following incidents that created significant safety concerns.
“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,” the memo stated.
Employees were directed to surrender all company property to their line managers and obtain exit clearance, with the finance department instructed to process benefits and entitlements in line with contractual agreements.
The refinery’s management expressed appreciation to the disengaged workers for their service while noting that entitlements would only be paid after clearance procedures had been completed.
The development comes amid ongoing disputes over unionisation, with reports indicating that a large percentage of the refinery’s Nigerian staff had joined the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) shortly before the dismissals.
Management, however, maintained in the memo that the decision was prompted by acts of sabotage and the need to safeguard refinery operations.
Industry observers say the mass layoff raises wider questions about labour relations in Nigeria’s energy sector and the potential impact on the refinery’s operations.
The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train facility, has been positioned as a key asset in reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel and stabilising the downstream market.
For now, the management’s stance frames the dismissals as a security and operational necessity, though the development is expected to continue fueling debates on workers’ rights, safety standards, and corporate governance in the country’s oil and gas industry.
