The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its affiliate unions to begin mobilization and preparations for industrial action against the Dangote Group. In a memo signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union accused Dangote Refinery of violating Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and international labour conventions by dismissing workers for union membership.
The memo, circulated internally, states that the time for endless dialogue is over and that workers must now prepare for “decisive collective action.” It demands that all unions under Dangote facilities immediately alert their members, establish Action Mobilisation Committees, and coordinate with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours. The NLC also called for a full-scale unionization drive across all Dangote sites and urged workers to resist any intimidation, victimisation, or union-busting activity.
The NLC letter condemned Dangote’s operations as “plantations of exploitation” where worker dignity is crushed to maximize profit. It further accused management of operating with impunity, flouting constitutional and labour protections. The union demanded that Dangote recognize the right of workers to freely join unions, abandon anti-labour practices, and respect collective bargaining rights.
The dispute escalated tensions between the NLC and Dangote’s management. Dangote’s response described the NLC’s order as illegal and warned of economic harm if operations are disrupted. The company urged relevant government authorities to intervene and appealed to unions to adhere to legal processes.
On the legislative side, the House of Representatives Petroleum Downstream Committee has called on PENGASSAN to suspend its directive to cut gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery. The committee intervened after Dangote’s management threatened legal action, and the court issued an interim order restraining the union’s actions. Efforts at reconciliation between the government, PENGASSAN, and Dangote are underway.
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Emmanuel Onwuka