Dangote refinery confirms sacking workers

The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has confirmed that it recently laid off some workers as part of an ongoing reorganisation exercise.

Dangote refinery attributed the mass layoff to repeated acts of sabotage that posed safety risks and disrupted operations.

In a statement issued on Friday, September 26, 2025, the company described the exercise as necessary to “safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage that have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency.”

The refinery stated that the decision was taken “in the best interest of the refinery” following intermittent cases of sabotage in various units of the facility, which it said had “dire consequences on human life and related safety concerns.”

The refinery added that over 3,000 Nigerians continue to work actively at the facility and that recruitment is ongoing through graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire processes.

Dangote refinery reiterated its commitment to workers’ rights, stating that it upholds internationally accepted labour principles, including the right of employees to decide whether or not to join a union.

“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery exists to serve Nigerians, to strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and to create decent, sustainable jobs,” the company added, pledging continued collaboration with employees, regulators, and stakeholders to uphold safety, transparency, and accountability.

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While the number of affected staff was not disclosed, it was gathered that the restructuring might be linked to the decision of many of the dismissed workers to join the workers’ union.

The Star recalls that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), in solidarity with the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), had earlier threatened to shut down Dangote refinery over management’s refusal to allow tanker drivers and other employees to unionise.

PENGASSAN voiced its frustration with what it described as the refinery’s persistent resistance to unionisation efforts, stressing that “all diplomatic efforts had failed to resolve the issue.”

The union further warned that if the standoff continued, it would have no option but to join NUPENG in shutting down refinery operations to protect workers’ rights and interests.

The Star