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Labour Congress warns Dangote Group against anti-union practices.
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NUPENG threatens nationwide strike from Monday over workers’ rights.
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Pressure mounts on President Tinubu to enforce compliance with labour laws.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged President Bola Tinubu to step in immediately to avert an escalating showdown between the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Dangote Group.
The appeal followed NUPENG’s announcement of a planned nationwide strike beginning Monday, protesting what it described as the Dangote Group’s “anti-union practices, monopolistic agenda, and indecent industrial relations strategies.”
In a statement signed by NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, the congress called on the President to compel the Dangote Group to comply with national labour laws and international conventions. He specifically asked President Tinubu to “immediately call Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Sayyu Dantata to order” and insist on respect for Nigerian workers and their right to unionise.
The NLC accused the conglomerate of exploiting employees while undermining their constitutional rights to collective bargaining. Ajaero declared that “Nigerian workers are not slaves and cannot be serially abused without consequences,” condemning what he described as monopolistic and anti-worker behaviour.
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The labour body further demanded the immediate unionisation of the Dangote Refinery and all subsidiaries under the group. According to Ajaero, plans are already in motion for a united resistance in solidarity with NUPENG, which could include coordinated industrial action if the company maintains its stance.
“If Dangote continues on this reckless anti-union path, we will move beyond words to action. Our solidarity is not negotiable. We will fight because we must. The working class must not be sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed,” he warned.
