Falana Urges FG To Intervene As Dangote Refinery Faces Union Dispute

Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Federal Government to urgently wade into the escalating industrial dispute between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and members of the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG). The controversy centers on allegations that the refinery has compelled newly recruited drivers to sign agreements prohibiting them from joining trade unions in the oil and gas sector.

The dispute, which has already sparked a major reaction from organized labor, threatens to trigger an indefinite strike across Nigeria’s vital oil and gas industry. NUPENG, in response to what it described as anti-union practices, directed its members nationwide to begin industrial action starting Monday, September 9, 2025. The planned strike has raised fears of fuel scarcity and widespread disruption in petroleum distribution.

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Falana Condemns Anti-Union Policy

Reacting to the development in a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, Falana criticized the Dangote Group’s policy as a blatant violation of both Nigerian law and international labor conventions. He noted that by attempting to restrict employees’ right to unionize, the company was infringing on fundamental freedoms enshrined in international treaties ratified by Nigeria.

Falana specifically cited the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87), and the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98). These conventions guarantee workers the right to form and join organizations of their choice without interference.

He further referenced global human rights frameworks, including the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, all of which safeguard workers’ freedom of association.

“In view of the legal obligations imposed on the Federal Government of Nigeria by the Constitution, Trade Union Act, and international law to respect the fundamental rights of workers to freedom of association, the Registrar of Trade Unions should call Dangote Petroleum Refinery to order without delay,” Falana declared.

Call for Federal Intervention

The senior lawyer urged regulatory bodies to act decisively in preventing corporate practices that undermine workers’ rights. He called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate and halt what he described as “monopolistic practices” of the Dangote Group. According to him, such practices are inconsistent with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018.

“Even though powerful trade unions exist in all capitalist countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, the Dangote Group appears determined to undermine trade unions in Nigeria because it has been allowed to operate outside the ambit of the law,” Falana warned.

He reminded the company that the right to unionize was not granted lightly but earned through historical struggles. “The struggle of Nigerian workers to unionise was fought and won under the British colonial regime. To that extent, we support the strike of the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers against the policy of the Dangote Group, which seeks to erode the rights of Nigerian workers to unionise,” he added.

Implications of the Strike

The looming NUPENG strike poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s economy, which relies heavily on the oil and gas sector for revenue and daily operations. Petroleum distribution, already fragile due to infrastructural challenges, may grind to a halt if the strike proceeds.

Analysts warn that the industrial action could trigger a nationwide fuel crisis, with ripple effects on transportation, manufacturing, and general economic activity. The strike also risks compounding public discontent at a time when Nigerians are grappling with inflation, rising fuel costs, and economic hardship.

For many observers, the situation underscores the delicate balance between corporate power and workers’ rights in Nigeria’s industrial landscape. The Dangote Group, which operates Africa’s largest petroleum refinery, wields significant influence in the country’s energy sector. However, critics argue that such influence must not translate into unchecked corporate authority at the expense of labor rights.

 Test for Government and Labor

The unfolding dispute is shaping up as a critical test for the Federal Government’s ability to enforce labor laws and safeguard democratic freedoms. By intervening swiftly, the government could not only avert a crippling strike but also send a clear message that no corporation is above the law.

For the labor movement, the standoff represents an opportunity to reaffirm the principle of collective bargaining, a cornerstone of industrial relations. NUPENG’s readiness to embark on an indefinite strike highlights the seriousness with which workers view threats to unionization.

Falana’s intervention, rooted in constitutional and international law, provides legal backing to the union’s stance and places moral pressure on the government to act.

As Monday’s strike deadline approaches, Nigerians watch anxiously to see whether dialogue or confrontation will prevail. Stakeholders insist that the solution lies in constructive engagement, with the refinery respecting workers’ rights while government agencies enforce compliance with existing laws.

The Dangote Refinery, which was expected to ease Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products, now finds itself at the center of a labor crisis that could undermine its operations and public reputation.

Ultimately, the dispute has reignited national debate about labor rights, corporate accountability, and the rule of law in Nigeria. For workers and unions, the outcome could set a precedent for how labor relations will be managed in an era where corporate giants dominate key sectors of the economy.