Nigeria TV Info 

Dangote vs PENGASSAN: NLC Mobilises Workers for Strike Against Refinery

The brewing industrial dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has taken a new dimension as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the oil workers.

Reports on Tuesday revealed that the NLC has commenced mobilisation of affiliate unions nationwide to prepare for a solidarity strike against the Dangote Refinery, accusing the company of anti-labour practices and high-handedness in its dealings with staff and unions.

The crisis deepened after PENGASSAN accused the management of the refinery of frustrating unionisation efforts, arbitrarily dismissing workers, and disregarding collective bargaining principles. Despite several meetings with government mediators, both sides have failed to reach a compromise.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said in Abuja that the Congress would not stand by while workers’ rights were being trampled upon. He warned that if the refinery and the federal government fail to resolve the crisis immediately, the NLC would declare a nationwide industrial action that could paralyse economic activities.

“The Dangote Refinery is a strategic national asset, but we cannot allow any employer to operate above the law or treat Nigerian workers as expendable tools,” Ajaero said.

The Dangote Group, however, insists that it has acted within the law and accused PENGASSAN of attempting to sabotage its operations through what it described as “unrealistic demands.”

With the refinery playing a pivotal role in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, stakeholders fear that an escalated strike could lead to severe disruptions in petroleum product availability, further straining the economy.

The federal government is expected to reconvene talks with both parties this week in a bid to avert the looming shutdown.