The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned of potential industrial action over the alleged recruitment of 89 unskilled workers from Katsina State by a contractor for the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
EpeInsights learnt that the NLC’s Lagos State chapter criticized the move as a violation of labour regulations and a potential threat to the security of the host community.
According to NLC Lagos Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, the action contradicts local labour policies, which require companies to prioritize local employment mandating that 70% of unskilled jobs go to locals.
“This is unacceptable. There are many unemployed youths in Ibeju-Lekki who could have taken those jobs,” said Sessi.
“The practice of relocating unskilled labour from the North to Lagos undermines local capacity and escalates tensions in the community.”
The situation gained public attention after a viral video showed the arrival of a large group of young men outside the refinery.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the video’s authenticity, stating the men were recruited for legitimate work purposes by a refinery vendor.
In response, the NLC has urged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Federal Ministry of Labour to intervene and direct the refinery to return the workers to northern Nigeria.
“If Dangote refuses to reverse this decision, we will escalate the matter to the national level,” Sessi warned.
Dangote Refinery has since distanced itself from the incident, stating that the workers were brought in by an independent vendor without the company’s prior knowledge.
“We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding this,” a company spokesperson said.
This incident has reignited long-standing concerns over the employment practices of major corporations operating in Nigeria, particularly regarding the use of expatriates and non-local labour for jobs that locals are capable of filling.
