The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has instructed its affiliate unions to begin full-scale mobilization for a nationwide strike. The directive comes in response to what the union described as the Dangote Group’s “deliberate anti-worker crusade” and persistent violation of Nigeria’s labour laws.
Memo from the NLC Leadership
The directive was contained in an internal memo signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on September 29, 2025. According to Ajaero, the time for “pleading and fruitless dialogue” with the Dangote conglomerate had ended. He stressed that workers could no longer tolerate exploitation and union-busting, adding that the period for “decisive, collective action” had arrived.
The memo underscored the NLC’s frustration, stating that repeated attempts to resolve disputes with the company through dialogue had failed. The NLC maintained that its new course of action was necessary to protect workers’ rights and uphold Nigeria’s labour laws.
Disputes with PENGASSAN and NUPENG
The NLC highlighted ongoing disputes involving two of its key affiliates: the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
According to the union, these disputes are not isolated but reflect “a deeper systemic problem.” The memo accused the Dangote Group of pursuing policies that amount to a pattern of union suppression, deliberate worker exploitation, and continuous disregard for the rule of law.
Allegations of Labour Rights Violations
The Congress accused the Dangote Group of operating “like a state within a state.” It alleged that the conglomerate has consistently flouted Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, and violated international conventions on labour rights, including ILO Conventions 87 and 98.
The union further described Dangote’s facilities as “plantations of exploitation,” claiming that workers’ dignity and welfare were being sacrificed for profit maximization.
Call for Full Mobilisation
The NLC directed all affiliate unions to place their members on immediate and full alert. Each union was instructed to begin comprehensive unionisation drives in all Dangote facilities under their jurisdiction.
The directive emphasized that this mobilisation was not just symbolic but a “strategic priority.” The Congress urged unions to commence preparations to mobilise members and resources for what it called “decisive engagement” against the company’s anti-labour stance.
Specific Demands to Dangote Group
In its memo, the NLC listed several non-negotiable demands directed at the Dangote Group:
1. Respect for workers’ rights to freely associate with unions of their choice.
2. An end to intimidation, victimisation, and harassment of workers who join unions.
3. Termination of union-busting practices across all company operations.
4. Full compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and relevant regulatory institutions.
The union stressed that compliance with these demands was essential to restoring industrial harmony.
Formation of Action Committees
To enforce the directive, the NLC instructed each affiliate union to immediately establish an Action Mobilisation Committee. These committees are expected to liaise with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours to coordinate strategy, logistics, and communication.
The Congress emphasized that “unity of purpose and action is non-negotiable.” It urged unions to prioritise coordination, stressing that fragmented responses would weaken the movement’s effectiveness.
Accusations of Impunity and Regulatory Failure
The memo also accused the Dangote Group of operating with impunity. The NLC claimed that regulatory authorities had failed to hold the company accountable, thereby emboldening its alleged anti-labour practices.
The Congress argued that what it called “regulatory capture” had compromised state institutions, leaving Nigerian workers vulnerable. It warned that the impunity of the Dangote Group must be confronted with the collective resistance of organised labour.
Labour Vows to Resist Oppression
The NLC pledged that no propaganda campaign or influence from vested interests would deter it from defending workers’ rights. The union noted that the Dangote empire was built on the labour of Nigerian workers and should not be turned into “a monument of oppression.”
“The blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built the Dangote empire. We will not allow it to become a monument to their oppression. Together we stand, and together we will overcome,” the memo concluded.
