Nigeria is on the brink of a major industrial shutdown as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) intensifies its conflict with the Dangote Group, accusing the conglomerate of egregious anti-union conduct. The umbrella labour body has put all its affiliate members on “red alert,” mobilising for a national strike that threatens to paralyse the country’s petroleum sector and destabilise fuel supply across the nation.
The core of the confrontation revolves around alleged unlawful labour practices at the new multi-billion pound Dangote Petroleum Refinery. Initially, the dispute saw the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) protest against the company’s policy of barring its new workforce, particularly drivers for a large fleet of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, from joining existing, registered trade unions.
The situation has now escalated drastically. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has entered the fray, alleging that the refinery unlawfully dismissed over 800 Nigerian staff members. Crucially, PENGASSAN claims these workers were sacked almost immediately after they expressed their constitutional right to form a union. Compounding the issue, the unions allege that the terminated Nigerian workers are being replaced by foreign nationals, a practice the NLC describes as ‘worker enslavement’ and an insult to the nation.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated unequivocally that the Dangote Group has long operated as a “state within a state,” systematically flouting the Nigerian Constitution and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions on the right to association and collective bargaining. He stressed that the labour movement would not allow any business, regardless of its size, to exploit Nigerian citizens.
In an effort to avert a complete collapse of fuel distribution, the Federal Government and the House of Representatives have initiated high-level mediation, though previous attempts at reconciliation have failed. The severity of the row is underscored by the fact that the company, in turn, has sought legal protection, securing an interim injunction from the National Industrial Court. This court order temporarily restrains NUPENG and PENGASSAN from resuming their strike or disrupting the critical gas and crude supply lines to the refinery.
Despite the judicial intervention, the NLC remains resolute in its stand. It is demanding the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all sacked workers and a verifiable commitment from the Dangote Group to respect workers’ rights. The union warns that if the company persists on this “reckless anti-union path,” the NLC and its affiliates will move beyond words to action, guaranteeing a national confrontation until “victory is secured for Nigerian workers.”
