The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has announced plans to back PENGASSAN in a nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery, escalating the growing labour dispute over the sacking of Nigerian workers.
The development came on Sunday, September 28, when TUC Secretary General, Nuhu Toro, issued a statement warning that the union is prepared for decisive action.
The labour body demanded a public apology and reinstatement of over 800 workers allegedly dismissed for joining the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Toro stressed that the dismissals amounted to a direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international labour standards.
He said: “We stand in full solidarity with the affected workers and with their union, our affiliate PENGASSAN, whose members have been victimised merely for declaring membership.
Such actions amount to a direct assault on Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution and on Nigeria’s obligations under International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.”
According to the statement, TUC has already placed all affiliates on standby.
“The Congress hereby places all affiliates on standby for a national industrial action if Dangote management fails to comply with these demands within a reasonable time,” the statement read.
The TUC further cautioned that no company, regardless of size, will be permitted to undermine the rights of Nigerian workers.
“No corporation, regardless of size or wealth, will be allowed to trample on the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers. The TUC stands united and ready to act decisively in defence of our members and the Nigerian workforce.”
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN had earlier declared a nationwide strike over the issue, instructing members to suspend gas and crude supply to the Dangote facility.
This directive immediately raised concerns over potential disruptions to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Dangote Refinery, however, dismissed the allegations and described the directive as an act of “economic sabotage.”
The company maintained that the recent dismissals were part of a reorganisation exercise aimed at tackling repeated sabotage incidents that threatened safety and operational efficiency.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has called for calm and urged both Dangote Refinery and PENGASSAN to return to dialogue.
In a statement, the regulator emphasised that peaceful engagement remained the best solution to resolving the face-off.
