WorldStage– Dangote Refinery has offered to pay the sacked workers’ salaries for five years salaries without any work obligations.
This was disclosed by sources privy to details that emerged from the negotiations between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) following the recent crisis over worker dismissals.
However, it’s gathered that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASAN) was said to have opted for redeployment of the sacked employees instead.
The offer, according to the sources, is aimed at preventing potential sabotage while ensuring the workers continued to receive monthly pay.
“The offer would have allowed the workers to stay home or pursue other opportunities while receiving their salaries for five years,” the sources said.
Despite concerns from government representatives about the financial implications, Dangote insisted this approach posed a lesser risk than allowing potentially untrustworthy employees back into the facility.
But PENGASSAN reportedly rejected the offer, choosing instead to have the affected workers redeployed to other parts of the Dangote Group.
“Dangote offered to pay the workers for five years to stay at home or engage in other activities but barred them from accessing the refinery due to sabotage concerns.
PENGASSAN, however, opted against this,” one source explained.
PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa emphasized that negotiations involve multiple options and compromises, and the final agreement should be the focus, not the discarded proposals.
“The most important thing is the resolution we agreed upon, not the options that were considered and rejected,” he said.
He likened the union’s role to mediating between a husband and wife, saying once the dispute is resolved, parties continue working together harmoniously.
Sources noted that redeployment could involve assignments to remote locations, potentially prompting some workers to resign.
Mr. Okugbawa described these concerns as speculative, adding that workers are expected to comply with their new postings.
He stressed that the union’s priority is the welfare of the workers, not the management’s business model.
It will be recalled that the recent sack at Dangote Refinery followed repeated acts of sabotage that threatened operational safety and efficiency.
Media reports backgrounded the crisis thus: “A letter signed by the refinery’s Chief General Manager of Human Asset Management, Femi Adekunle, informed affected employees that their services were terminated effective September 25, 2025.
“The company stressed that the action was necessary to protect human life, ensure safety, and safeguard the facility’s long-term stability.
“Following the dismissals, PENGASSAN directed its members to disrupt refinery operations by blocking gas supply, accusing the management of anti-labour practices and discrimination.
“The union’s nationwide withdrawal prompted federal intervention, with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, urging reconciliation to prevent escalation.
“The House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) also called on PENGASSAN to suspend its directives, and the National Industrial Court of Abuja issued an interim order restraining the union from continuing its industrial action or cutting supply to the refinery.
“After several days of negotiation, including sessions at the Ministry of Labour and later at the Office of the National Security Adviser, PENGASSAN suspended its nationwide strike.
“The parties reportedly reached an agreement in the early hours of Wednesday following government-facilitated reconciliation.
“The final resolution prioritizes workers’ welfare while protecting refinery operations, signaling a temporary truce and a framework for ongoing cooperation between Dangote Refinery and its workforce.”
