Ndume Calls for Labour Law Review After Dangote Refinery Strike

Senator Ali Ndume has called on the National Assembly to review Nigeria’s labour laws following the recent oil and gas workers’ strike that disrupted fuel supply across the country.

                              

The three-day strike, led by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), protested the dismissal of 100 workers at the Dangote Refinery.

• PENGASSAN argued the sackings were unfair and linked to union activities.

• Dangote Refinery insisted the move was part of a restructuring exercise.

• The strike pushed the pump price of petrol from ₦890 to ₦900, worsening the cost burden for everyday Nigerians.

• According to NNPCL, the shutdown caused a 30% drop in gas trading and a 16% fall in crude oil production.

The federal government intervened on October 1, ending the action that began on September 28.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Ndume said the strike caused “unnecessary suffering” for Nigerians.

• Labour unions, he stressed, must be protected but not allowed to abuse their influence.

• He argued that if PENGASSAN felt aggrieved, it should have sought redress in court rather than shutting down fuel supply.

• The senator reminded Nigerians that Dangote Refinery is a private investment built with billions of dollars, warning unions to tread carefully.

Ndume’s comments highlight a growing debate over the balance between workers’ rights and the national interest, particularly in critical industries like oil and gas. With labour strikes carrying heavy economic consequences, a legislative review could reshape the rules of industrial action in Nigeria.