The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions to begin mobilisation for a possible nationwide strike in response to the ongoing dispute between the Dangote refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
In a memo signed on Monday, NLC President Joe Ajaero accused the refinery of flouting Nigeria’s labour laws, the constitution, and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by dismissing employees for joining the association.
The dispute, which centres on the alleged termination of over 800 workers, has intensified tensions between labour unions and the refinery. Ajaero described Dangote Group facilities as “plantations of exploitation” where workers’ dignity is sacrificed for profit.
He also described the sacking of workers as “a symptom of a deeper sickness — a capitalist pathology of union-busting, worker enslavement, and gross impunity that defines the Group’s industrial relations strategy.”
He ordered affiliate unions to place members on full alert and immediately step up unionisation campaigns within all Dangote facilities nationwide. He also directed each affiliate to establish an “action mobilisation committee” and liaise with the NLC secretariat within 72 hours.
“The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with resistance,” he stressed, noting that unity of purpose has become “non-negotiable.”
The federal government has called for a conciliatory meeting to de-escalate the situation. However, tensions remain high as both sides trade accusations.
The Dangote refinery confirmed the dismissal of some workers but maintained that “only a small number was affected,” describing the decision as part of a reorganisation process.
On September 27, the refinery accused PENGASSAN of attempting to sabotage Nigeria’s energy supply chain after the union directed members to cut off crude oil and gas supplies. PENGASSAN had also instructed its members to embark on a nationwide strike over the dismissals.
The National Industrial Court in Abuja has since issued an interim order stopping PENGASSAN from proceeding with its planned industrial action against the refinery.
Melissa Enoch
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