The Federal Government has rescheduled a critical meeting between the management of Dangote Group and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), as tensions escalate over alleged anti-union practices. Initially set for 3 pm, the meeting was moved to 10 am, but delays saw NUPENG leaders still en route to Abuja by the scheduled time. According to sources close to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, this move was intended to prevent a nationwide strike, which could have devastating effects on the already fragile Nigerian economy.
The conflict centres on claims by NUPENG that Dangote Group is engaging in practices that undermine union rights. NUPENG has accused the company of low wages, poor working conditions, and unethical recruitment policies that prevent workers from joining unions, in violation of national and international labor laws. The union has labelled these actions as “crude and dangerous” and warned that they could lead to a dangerous precedent in Nigeria’s industrial relations.
Speaking about the matter, NUPENG’s leadership outlined their concerns, stating that Dangote Refinery is paying some of the lowest wages in the sector and that its recruitment conditions violate the constitutional rights of Nigerian workers. “This marks a dangerous road to fascism in industrial relations, where workers are treated as slaves without voice or dignity,” a statement from the union read.
While the meeting was set to address these grievances, it could not start until all parties were present in Abuja, causing further delays to the already contentious situation.
NLC Throws Weight Behind NUPENG
In a show of solidarity, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its full support behind NUPENG in the face of the ongoing dispute. The NLC has called on the Federal Government to intervene and address what it terms the “anti-union” and “monopolistic” practices of Dangote Group. In a statement, NLC President Joe Ajaero emphasised that the issue goes beyond just the petroleum workers, warning that it represents a broader attack on the Nigerian working class and trade unionism.
“We have received several complaints regarding the Dangote Group, and all point to the same issue: unfair labor practices and union-busting. What we are witnessing is not industrialization, but economic sabotage,” Ajaero said. He accused the Dangote Group of using its state-backed monopoly to stifle competition and exploit workers, claiming that the group’s treatment of Nigerian staff is subpar compared to foreign workers who are brought in under better conditions.
In addition, Ajaero condemned the Dangote Group’s policy of preventing employees from joining unions, labelling it a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and international conventions. “This is not development; it is dispossession,” Ajaero declared, further stressing that the NLC would not stand by while such practices go unchallenged.
