The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has issued a strike notice to its members over what it described as “anti-worker” policies being implemented by the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The union warned that it was prepared to launch a nationwide industrial action if the refinery failed to reinstate dismissed workers and issue a public apology.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Dr Nuhu Toro, the TUC condemned the “unjust termination” of staff for exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of association and unionisation.
“We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with our affiliate, PENGASSAN, whose members have been victimised simply for declaring union membership,” the statement read.
The TUC described the actions as a violation of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and a breach of Nigeria’s international labour obligations under the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
It demanded:
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Immediate and unconditional reinstatement of all affected workers.
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A public apology from Dangote management with assurances against future victimisation.
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An independent investigation involving the Ministry of Labour, the ILO, and other stakeholders into the company’s labour practices.
“All affiliates are hereby placed on stand-by for a national strike if these demands are not met within a reasonable time,” the TUC warned. “No company, no matter its size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers.”
The development follows a similar escalation by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which directed its members to withdraw their services nationwide after the alleged dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers by the refinery.
In a circular issued after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on September 27, 2025, General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa accused Dangote Refinery of violating labour laws, the Constitution, and ILO conventions.
PENGASSAN also alleged that the company had replaced the dismissed workers with over 2,000 Indian nationals, calling the move “an affront to all Nigerian workers.”
The dispute began after Dangote Refinery sent a letter dated September 24, 2025 accusing some staff of sabotage and ordering their dismissal, claiming their actions threatened the operational safety of the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility.
While PENGASSAN put the number of sacked workers at around 800, Dangote management denied conducting a mass dismissal, saying it was merely restructuring its workforce to improve efficiency and that most of its employees remain Nigerian.
If PENGASSAN’s directive is fully implemented, the industrial action could disrupt operations at the refinery and cause wider supply chain impacts across the downstream petroleum sector.