Dangote Refinery Confirms Job Cuts, Cites Sabotage, Safety Concerns

Dangote Refinery Confirms Job Cuts, Cites Sabotage, Safety Concerns

By Abiola Adigun
Albarka 89.9 FM

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has confirmed laying off some of its workers, insisting that the decision was part of a reorganisation exercise aimed at safeguarding the multi-billion-dollar facility from acts of sabotage.
In a statement on Friday, the refinery said only “a very small number” of employees were affected, while over 3,000 Nigerians remain actively engaged at the Ibeju-Lekki plant.
The clarification comes after reports surfaced earlier in the day that the company had sacked some of its workforce, sparking concerns in industry circles. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) had also confirmed the layoffs, adding that it was engaging the company to resolve the issue.
According to the refinery, the action became necessary following “intermittent cases of sabotage in various units of the refinery” which it said had raised serious safety concerns and disrupted operational efficiency.
“We remain vigilant to our internal systems and vulnerabilities to ensure the long-term stability of this strategic national asset,” the company stated. “It is imperative to protect the refinery for the benefit of Nigerians, our partners across Africa, and the thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on it.”
The organisation emphasised that the exercise was not arbitrary but taken in the best interest of the refinery and its workforce.
“Only a very small number of staff were affected, as we continue to recruit Nigerian talent through our graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitment process,” the company said.
The refinery also reassured stakeholders of its adherence to global labour principles, including workers’ rights and freedom of association.
Industry watchers say the development highlights the delicate balance the refinery must maintain between operational security and labour stability as it positions itself as a strategic national and continental energy asset.