NLC Declares Full Support for NUPENG in Clash with Dangote Refinery

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in an escalating industrial dispute with the Dangote Refinery. The confrontation, which threatens to disrupt petroleum product distribution nationwide, centers on allegations of anti-union practices by the Dangote Group.

In a statement released on Saturday and signed by its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC condemned what it described as “corporate greed” and warned that Nigerian workers must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of monopoly and profit. The union further declared that its solidarity with NUPENG is “not negotiable,” setting the stage for what could become one of the most significant labour battles in recent years.

Kaduna Police Summon El-Rufai, ADC Leaders Over Alleged Conspiracy And Incitement

Brewing Crisis Between NUPENG and Dangote

The faceoff intensified when NUPENG directed its Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) branch to stop lifting products from Dangote depots beginning Monday, September 8. This directive follows the refinery’s alleged policy barring drivers recruited for its 10,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks from joining any trade union.

The NLC, after reviewing NUPENG’s petition, accused Dangote of implementing dangerous anti-union measures, pursuing monopolistic agendas, and practicing unfair labour relations. It revealed that complaints from other unions against the Dangote Group had been received in the past, all pointing to a pattern of exploitation and suppression of workers’ rights.

The statement described Dangote’s operations as “enslaving” rather than developmental, claiming the refinery’s promises of job creation and industrial growth have given way to monopolistic practices and systemic denial of constitutional freedoms.

NLC Calls Out Dangote Over Labour Practices

According to the NLC, the Dangote Group has consistently denied employees their right to freedom of association by forcing them into company-controlled unions designed to weaken collective bargaining power. The Congress accused the conglomerate of casualization, poor wages, unsafe working conditions, and a preference for foreign workers over qualified Nigerians.

“We state without equivocation that this represents not just an attack on petroleum workers, but a full-blown declaration of war against the Nigerian working class,” the NLC stated. “The group thrives on union busting, exploitative labour practices, and monopolistic control to the detriment of workers and the Nigerian people.”

The labour body also faulted Dangote’s employment of foreign nationals, particularly welders and fitters from India, at the expense of skilled Nigerian workers who remain unemployed. It stressed that this unpatriotic practice runs contrary to the concessions and waivers the group has enjoyed from the Nigerian government.

Dangote Accused of Exploiting Nigerians

The statement further alleged that instead of reducing costs and providing relief to Nigerians, Dangote exploits scarcity to raise prices and deepen hardship. According to the NLC, this strategy amounts to “economic sabotage” and “class robbery,” where ordinary citizens are forced to subsidize the growing wealth of the elite through exploitation and manipulation.

The NLC cited Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, alongside International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, which guarantee workers’ rights to organize and join unions. It warned that Dangote’s policies, if left unchecked, would set a dangerous precedent for corporate impunity in Nigeria’s labour sector.

Solidarity and Mobilization of Nigerian Workers

Declaring full solidarity with NUPENG, the NLC issued a stern warning to Dangote to immediately halt what it described as anti-union and anti-people practices or face nationwide resistance. The Congress also called on the Federal Government and regulatory authorities, especially the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Authority, to hold the conglomerate accountable and prevent further violations.

The union’s demands include:

• The immediate recognition and unionization of workers across all Dangote operations.
• An end to anti-union activities and compliance with Nigerian labour laws.
• Government intervention to curb monopolistic practices in the energy sector.
• A united front by Nigerian workers against any attempt to undermine labour rights.

The NLC emphasized that it is prepared to mobilize its affiliates, state councils, and industrial unions in a coordinated action against Dangote if necessary.

NLC Issues Final Warning

The statement concluded with a strong warning: if Dangote fails to change course, the NLC and its affiliates will move beyond words to action. It vowed to confront what it termed the “tyranny of monopoly capital” and defend the dignity of Nigerian workers.

“The attack on NUPENG is an attack on us all. Nigerian workers are not slaves and will not be serially abused without consequences,” the Congress declared. “Our solidarity is not negotiable. We will fight because we must. The working class must not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed.”

With the threat of industrial action looming, the standoff between Nigeria’s most powerful labour unions and Africa’s richest businessman may redefine labour relations and corporate accountability in the country. If unresolved, the crisis could trigger nationwide fuel shortages, adding pressure to an already struggling economy.