Dangote refinery: Why we sacked Nigerian workers

Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has revealed that its decision to terminate the employment of several workers was prompted by repeated cases of sabotage that endangered operations at the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.

In a letter dated September 24, 2025, and signed by the Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, Dangote refinery said it was “constrained to carry out a total re-organisation of the plant” following “many recent cases of reported sabotage in different units of the Petroleum Refinery leading to major safety concerns.”

The letter, addressed to all staff of the refinery and the Dangote Industries Free Zone Development Company, instructed affected workers to surrender all company property to their line managers and secure an exit clearance.

The Finance Department was directed to compute all benefits and entitlements in line with each worker’s terms of service and release payment after clearance, less any outstanding debts.

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The management, however, thanked the disengaged employees for their service, stressing that the decision was necessary to safeguard the refinery’s operations and avert future risks.

The letter read: “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.

“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.

“Please surrender all the Company’s properties in your possession to your line manager and obtain an exit clearance accordingly, but the date for doing so will be communicated to you later.

“The Finance Department, by a copy of this letter, is advised to compute all your benefits and entitlements in line with your terms of employment and conditions of service and pay the amount due to you (less all indebtedness), subject to the condition that you have obtained the exit clearance certificate as mentioned above.

“We seize this opportunity to thank you for your services while you were in our employment.”

The Star