The management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reassured the public that more than 3,000 Nigerians remain actively employed at its $20 billion facility, despite recent reports of workforce restructuring.

In a statement released on Friday, the company dismissed claims of mass sackings, clarifying that only a “very small number” of staff were affected. According to management, the exercise was necessary to protect the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage that threatened safety and operational efficiency.

“This exercise is not arbitrary. It has become necessary to safeguard the refinery from repeated acts of sabotage that have raised safety concerns and affected operational efficiency,” the statement read.

The refinery, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, disclosed that it had uncovered several cases of sabotage across different units of the complex. These incidents, it warned, posed serious risks to both human lives and the long-term stability of what it described as a “strategic national asset.”

Despite the restructuring, the management stressed its commitment to job creation, noting that graduate trainee programmes and experienced hire recruitments will continue.

“We exist to serve Nigerians, strengthen Africa’s energy independence, and create decent, sustainable jobs,” it added.

The company also reaffirmed that all workers’ rights, including freedom of association and union membership, remain protected under international labour standards.