By Abiola Olawale
The face-off between Dangote Refinery, owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has continued to escalate as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has ordered full-scale mobilization of its affiliate unions for a nationwide strike.
The NLC said it ordered the nationwide strike to show its dissatisfaction against what it described as the Dangote Group’s “deliberate anti-worker crusade” and disregard for Nigeria’s labour laws.
The directive was issued in an internal memo signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on September 29, 2025.
The memo reads in part: “The ongoing disputes with PENGASSAN and NUPENG are only symptoms of a deeper problem: a systemic anti-labour policy of union-busting, worker exploitation, and disregard for the rule of law that defines the Group’s industrial relations practices.”
“For too long, the Dangote Group has operated like a state within a state, flouting Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, violating ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and treating our labour laws with contempt. Its facilities have become plantations of exploitation where workers’ dignity is deliberately crushed in pursuit of profit for a few.
“The time for pleading and fruitless dialogue is over. The moment for decisive, collective action is now. All affiliate unions are hereby placed on immediate and full alert and begin vigorous and comprehensive unionisation of all workers within Dangote facilities under your jurisdiction. This is a strategic priority.
“Commence preparations to mobilise members and resources for full-scale, decisive engagement against the Dangote Group’s anti-labour stance.
“The Congress also issued clear demands to the Dangote Group: “Unconditional respect for workers’ right to freely join unions of their choice, an end to intimidation, victimisation, and union-busting activities, and full compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and institutions.
“To enforce the directive, each affiliate union has been instructed to immediately set up an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours to coordinate strategy, logistics, and communication. Unity of purpose and action is non-negotiable.
“The NLC accused the Dangote Group of operating with impunity, alleging that regulatory authorities had failed to rein in its excesses. The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with the collective resistance of organised labour. No amount of propaganda or paid agents will stop us from defending workers’ rights, especially in the face of regulatory capture, where the state appears to have abdicated its duty to hold this conglomerate accountable.
“The blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built the Dangote empire; we will not allow it to become a monument to their oppression. Together we stand! Together, we will overcome!”
The New Diplomat reports that on Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil. The emergency decision followed the sack of over 800 Nigerian workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
However, Dangote, in a swift response, described PENGASSAN’s order to cut crude oil and gas supplies to its facility as “unlawful, reckless, and a direct threat to the national economy.”
In a statement released on Saturday, the refinery said: “The products that would be disrupted and stopped include but are not limited to aviation fuel, petrol, kerosene, diesel, and cooking gas – all products that are used and required by all stripes of Nigerians and persons living in Nigeria, whether high and mighty or lowly and ordinary.”
“In what circumstances would it be justified for PENGASSAN to so disrupt and introduce hardship into the living conditions of Nigerians? None that we can see.”
