Falana Backs NUPENG Strike, Urges FG to Call Dangote to Order

By Diafa Doubra,

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has thrown his support behind the planned strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), warning the Federal Government to intervene in what he described as an “illegal” anti-union policy by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The dispute arose after reports surfaced that the refinery had instructed newly recruited tanker drivers to sign agreements barring them from joining any of the existing oil and gas unions. According to NUPENG, the directive threatens the jobs and rights of over 250,000 drivers across the country.

In a strongly worded statement, Falana condemned the move, saying it violated Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, the Trade Union Act, and international conventions that protect the rights of workers to freely associate. He argued that such practices undermine Nigeria’s commitments under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Falana further urged the Registrar of Trade Unions to step in immediately to stop the refinery from implementing the policy, while also calling on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate what he described as Dangote’s “monopolistic tendencies.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has waded into the matter, with the Minister of Labour and Employment summoning representatives of both NUPENG and Dangote Refinery to an emergency meeting in Abuja. The talks are aimed at averting a nationwide strike that could cripple fuel distribution across the country.

Falana stressed that allowing such anti-labour practices to stand would set a dangerous precedent, insisting that workers’ rights must be protected at all costs.