The rift between the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has deepened following the suspension of monthly salaries for engineers disengaged during the September industrial dispute.
PENGASSAN confirmed that it is currently holding talks with the Dangote Group to resolve the matter amicably and avert another nationwide shutdown in the oil and gas sector.
Investigations revealed that the affected engineers stopped receiving their salaries after refusing redeployment to various Dangote Group projects across states such as Zamfara, Benue, Borno, Kebbi, and Sokoto. While a few accepted the postings, many declined, insisting that PENGASSAN had assured them of an eventual settlement.
According to sources within the refinery, the company had earlier issued a warning by slashing the workers’ October salaries before fully withholding their November pay. A senior Dangote Group official said the firm would not continue paying employees who rejected alternative placements.
“Those whose services were terminated were given opportunities to work in other projects—rice mills, coal mines, and construction sites. Those who accepted have resumed,” the official said, questioning why salaries should continue for those who refused redeployment.
The dispute traces back to PENGASSAN’s September shutdown of oil and gas facilities over allegations that 800 workers were fired for joining the union—a claim Dangote Refinery denied, insisting it only dismissed staff sabotaging operations.
The Federal Government later intervened, directing the redeployment of the affected workers. This led to the issuance of new employment letters titled “Offer of Trainee Engagement,” assigning many engineers to a coal project in Benue State.
However, several engineers raised concerns about the postings, citing lack of clear office locations, security risks, and terms in the offer letters that could lead to “self-termination” of employment if they failed to report within 14 days.
PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said ongoing negotiations aim to resolve the outstanding issues, noting that while progress has been made, major concerns remain.
“We prefer a peaceful resolution at the negotiation table. But we will not hesitate to take necessary action if needed,” he said.
Dangote Group officials maintain that while the union has the right to negotiate, the company also has the right to take decisions in line with its business interests.
Meanwhile, affected engineers say they feel victimised, claiming that Dangote had initially agreed to keep paying salaries until the dispute was resolved.
The deadlock continues as both parties hold firm, leaving the future of the engineers—and the stability of the sector—dependent on the outcome of ongoing discussions.
