The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered its affiliate unions to mobilise workers nationwide for possible strike action against the Dangote Group over alleged anti-labour practices, escalating tensions between the company and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The directive came on Monday after PENGASSAN’s strike grounded operations at key oil and gas institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Abuja restrained PENGASSAN from halting crude oil and gas supply to the $20bn Dangote Refinery in Lekki, following an ex parte application by the company. However, PENGASSAN dismissed the order, insisting it had not been officially served.
The dispute stems from allegations that the refinery dismissed over 800 Nigerian workers for attempting to unionise, while replacing them with more than 2,000 expatriates, mainly from India. Dangote Group denied the claims, saying the layoffs were part of a safety-driven restructuring and maintained that over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, accused Dangote of waging a “deliberate anti-worker crusade” and flouting both national labour laws and international conventions. “The time for endless dialogue is over. The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with resistance from organised labour,” he declared.
The Congress directed affiliates to place members on full alert, commence aggressive unionisation within Dangote facilities, and form mobilisation committees within 72 hours. It vowed to compel the conglomerate to respect workers’ rights to unionise and end alleged victimisation.
PENGASSAN’s strike has already forced temporary shutdowns at oil and gas agencies. At NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, workers were barred from entry, while activities at NMDPRA were also grounded, with union officials confirming “100 per cent compliance.”
In court filings, Dangote argued that sabotage and safety concerns prompted the restructuring and warned that prolonged industrial action could cripple Nigeria’s energy sector. Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted a restraining order valid for seven days, pending further hearing on October 13.
PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, rejected the order, telling members to continue with the strike. “Court processes are served through bailiffs, not social media,” he said, urging “comrades” to remain steadfast.
The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) also threw its weight behind PENGASSAN and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), condemning the refinery’s alleged anti-labour practices as unconstitutional and a violation of International Labour Organisation standards.
The refinery, commissioned in 2023, is central to Nigeria’s efforts to reduce fuel imports and ease pressure on foreign exchange. A prolonged shutdown could worsen fuel supply challenges and weigh on the fragile economy.
