Nigeria’s organised labour movement has escalated its opposition against Africa’s largest business empire, as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide strike in response to what it describes as the Dangote Group’s entrenched “anti-worker agenda” and “exploitative labour practices.”
In a sharply worded internal communication dated Monday, September 29, 2025, and signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, the Congress declared that negotiations have reached a dead end.
The memo highlights that “The current conflicts involving PENGASSAN and NUPENG are merely manifestations of a broader issue: a persistent anti-union stance characterized by union suppression, worker exploitation, and blatant disregard for legal frameworks that underpin the Group’s industrial relations.”
Ajaero condemned the Dangote conglomerate for operating beyond legal and democratic boundaries in Nigeria. “For too long, the Dangote Group has functioned as a parallel authority, violating Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, breaching ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and showing blatant disrespect for our labour laws. Its workplaces have turned into sites of systematic exploitation where nlc-insists/” title=”… Demands FG Swiftly Constitute Boards of PENCOM and Other Key Agencies”>workers’ rights and dignity are routinely trampled in the pursuit of profit for a select few.”
The NLC leader made it clear that such conditions are no longer acceptable.
“The era of appeals and unproductive talks has ended. The time for bold, united action is upon us. All affiliated unions are hereby placed on immediate high alert and must intensify efforts to unionize all employees within Dangote’s operations under their jurisdiction. This is a critical strategic objective.”
He further instructed unions to prepare for a comprehensive national confrontation: “Begin mobilizing members and resources for a robust, decisive campaign against the Dangote Group’s anti-labour policies.”
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The NLC’s demands were unequivocal: “Immediate and unconditional respect for workers’ rights to freely associate with unions of their choice, an end to all forms of intimidation, harassment, and union suppression, and full adherence to Nigeria’s labour laws and regulatory bodies.”
To ensure effective implementation, the Congress mandated: “Each affiliate union must promptly establish an Action Mobilisation Committee and coordinate with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours to align strategies, logistics, and communications. Unity in purpose and action is imperative.”
The labour organisation also criticized regulatory bodies for their inaction: “The NLC accused the Dangote Group of operating with unchecked impunity, pointing to regulatory agencies’ failure to curb its abuses. This impunity must be confronted by the collective strength of organised labour. No propaganda or hired operatives will deter us from defending workers’ rights, especially amid regulatory capture where the state seems to have abdicated its responsibility to hold this conglomerate accountable.”
In a stirring conclusion, the NLC warned that history will judge those who fail to act: “The Dangote empire was built on the hard work and sacrifices of Nigerian workers; we refuse to let it stand as a symbol of their oppression. United we stand! United we shall prevail!”
This strike poses a significant threat to operations across various industries, including petroleum, manufacturing, logistics, and construction, marking one of the most intense confrontations between organised labour and a private sector giant in recent memory.
