The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, has dismissed more than 200 workers in a sweeping reorganisation exercise triggered by what management described as multiple cases of sabotage that posed major safety risks.
In an internal memo signed by the Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Mr. Femi Adekunle, the company said the reported sabotage compelled it to carry out “a total re-organisation of the plant,” effective Thursday, September 25, 2025.
“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-organisation of the plant,” the letter read in part.
“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 affected workers were instructed to surrender company property in their possession to their line managers and obtain exit clearance certificates. The finance department was also directed to calculate their entitlements in line with the terms of service and pay them once clearance formalities are completed.
Although the management has yet to officially confirm the exact number of disengaged workers, insiders revealed that more than 200 employees were affected, while others would be retained after the restructuring.
The sack follows weeks of labour unrest at the refinery. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) have repeatedly clashed with the refinery’s management over allegations of denying workers the right to unionise. The crisis recently escalated into a strike action by Petroleum Tanker Drivers, an affiliate of NUPENG, which disrupted activities at the refinery until the Federal Government and the courts intervened.
Efforts to obtain official clarification from the Dangote Group were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, went unanswered.
Leave a Reply