The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has confirmed that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain in active employment at its $20 billion facility, despite a recent workforce reorganisation.
In a statement issued on Friday, the management dismissed reports of mass dismissals, clarifying that only a “very small number” of employees were affected. It described the restructuring as a necessary measure to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage.
“This exercise is not arbitrary. It became necessary to protect the refinery from repeated sabotage, which has raised safety concerns and disrupted operational efficiency,” the statement said.
Management explained that the decision was made in the best interest of the refinery following several incidents of sabotage across different units of the complex. These incidents, it said, had serious implications for human safety and the facility’s long-term stability.
“We remain vigilant about our internal systems and vulnerabilities to ensure the refinery’s continued stability. It is imperative to protect this strategic national asset for the benefit of Nigerians, our partners across Africa, and the thousands whose livelihoods depend on it,” the company added.
The refinery, with a nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, reiterated that over 3,000 Nigerians are currently employed, and that recruitment is ongoing through graduate trainee schemes and experienced hire programmes.
“We exist to serve Nigerians, strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and create decent, sustainable jobs,” the statement continued, stressing that employees’ rights, including the freedom to join a union, remain fully protected.