FRESH controversy has engulfed the $20bn Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest petrochemical facility, after a leaked internal memo revealed that the company had begun a sweeping reorganisation of its workforce, citing multiple cases of sabotage that posed “major safety concerns.”
The confidential memo, dated September 24, 2025, and signed by Femi Adekunle, Chief General Manager, Human Asset Management, directed affected employees to surrender company property, obtain exit clearance from their line managers, and await the computation of their benefits.
The letter, which has since gone viral on social media also sighted by News Point Nigeria, reads in part:
“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.”
The directive further instructed the Finance Department to compute entitlements “in line with the conditions of service,” while stressing that payouts would be subject to proper clearance.
While the refinery management has yet to issue a formal public statement beyond the leaked memo, the drastic action has triggered speculation about the scale of the sabotage and its potential impact on the plant’s operations.
Industry watchers say the refinery seen as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy independence cannot afford disruptions at a time when it is expected to ease the country’s crippling fuel import dependence.
“This kind of sweeping decision suggests the management sees sabotage as a very real and urgent threat,” an oil and gas analyst told News Point Nigeria. “But the lack of transparency may fuel panic in the industry and among investors.”
The memo has sparked heated debates online, with many Nigerians questioning whether disgruntled employees were behind the sabotage claims or if management was using the allegations to justify mass layoffs.
A top official in the organisation told News Point Nigeria that the workers were simply sacked for insisting to join labour unions.
‘They were sacked for insisting on joining labour unions and the big man doesnt want that”, the source confirmed.
Labour unions are also expected to weigh in, with fears that the refinery’s reorganisation could spark disputes over severance payments, job security, and working conditions.
As of press time, Dangote Industries Limited had not officially addressed the leaked memo, leaving questions unanswered about the number of employees affected and the extent of the alleged sabotage.