In a development sending ripples through Nigeria’s vital energy sector, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has issued a memo announcing a significant reorganization of its workforce, citing widespread sabotage incidents as the primary cause. The internal communication, dated September 24, 2025, and signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, states the company is “constrained to carry out a total reorganisation of the plant” due to “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns”. This move has ignited controversy and prompted strong reactions from labor unions, who allege it is a reprisal for recent unionization efforts.
The Leaked Memo and Stated Reasons
The directive, which has circulated widely, instructs affected staff to surrender all company property to their line managers and await clearance before their entitlements are processed by the Finance Department. While some reports initially interpreted this as a mass sacking, Dangote Refinery management has vehemently denied this, clarifying that the exercise is a strategic reorganisation aimed at safeguarding operational safety and the integrity of the multi-billion-dollar facility. A senior refinery official, speaking anonymously, described it as a “clean-up exercise” designed to identify and eliminate sabotage and leakages, suggesting that those not involved in such activities have nothing to fear and that some affected individuals may be reabsorbed once issues are resolved.
Union Accusations and Counterclaims
The timing of the memo has fueled speculation and accusations from labor unions, particularly the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Reports indicate that a significant majority of the refinery’s Nigerian staff had recently joined PENGASSAN, a move that has been met with resistance from the refinery’s management. PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo confirmed receiving the letter and expressed concern, assuring that affected workers would be recalled. Union leaders have labelled the action an “intimidation” and a violation of workers’ rights to unionize, pointing to a history of labor disputes at the refinery. These disputes include previous clashes over unionisation rights and labor practices, even after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in September 2025 affirming workers’ right to unionize.
Broader Context and Operational Continuity
The Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest single-train refinery, is a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification and energy security strategy, aiming to end the nation’s reliance on imported petroleum products. The current upheaval comes amid broader challenges faced by the refinery, including previous disputes with unions like the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) over labor practices and safety standards, as well as friction with marketers over product pricing and distribution.
Despite the workforce changes, refinery officials maintain that operations are continuing uninterrupted, with both Nigerian and expatriate staff actively engaged in production. The company has emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the strategic national asset and ensuring the continuity of its mission to serve Nigeria and the broader African energy market.
Uncertain Future for Affected Staff
The situation remains fluid, with conflicting narratives from the refinery management and labor unions creating uncertainty for the affected employees. While the refinery insists the move is a temporary reorganization aimed at rooting out internal threats, the union perspective frames it as an anti-union crackdown. The outcome for the disengaged staff, and the broader implications for labor relations within Nigeria’s critical oil and gas sector, are now under close observation as this trending news unfolds.
