The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has placed its members nationwide on red alert amid the escalating dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
TUC’s Kano State Chairman, Comrade Mubarak Buba Yarima, disclosed this in an interview. Yarima, a former PENGASSAN member, said the Congress is prepared to join the strike if today’s emergency meeting in Abuja between the federal government, PENGASSAN, and Dangote ends without resolution.
“We have already placed our members on red alert. Once we receive a communiqué from PENGASSAN, we’re standing by. You cannot trample on workers’ rights and expect us to keep quiet,” Yarima declared.
The standoff deepened after PENGASSAN accused Dangote Refinery of sacking hundreds of staff for joining the union, alleging that many were replaced with expatriates—a move the union described as victimisation and a breach of constitutional rights.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi, has summoned both parties for talks. Ministry spokesperson Patience Onuobia said the minister appealed to PENGASSAN to reconsider its strike threat, warning of “dire economic and security consequences.”
But Yarima stood firm, insisting labour rights must be respected.
“We are not denying that Dangote has invested heavily and created jobs. But that does not excuse dismissing workers for joining a union. Total, Shell, and others have been here for decades and they all have unions—so why is this different?”
He stressed TUC’s demand is straightforward—fairness.
“We are not asking for anything out of the ordinary or lobbying for money. We just want him to do the right thing and give those workers back their jobs,” he added.
