TUC insists nationwide strike goes on, backs Dangote Refinery shutdown

The organised labour movement in Nigeria has issued a severe warning to the Federal Government, threatening a total nationwide strike if it proceeds with a planned 5% tax on petroleum products.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) condemned the proposed levy as a “reckless” and “economically wicked” act that would further cripple citizens already struggling with the removal of fuel subsidies, high inflation, and a weakened currency.

In a strongly-worded statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo, and General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, the TUC declared that the government must immediately reverse its decision.

It stated that failure to do so would force it to “mobilise Nigerian workers and the masses for a total nationwide resistance,” with a strike action “firmly on the table.”

The union directed all its state branches and affiliated organisations to be on high alert for a potential call to action.

It also called on civil society groups, professional associations, and all Nigerians to stand in solidarity against policies it says “seek to further impoverish citizens.”

Also, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) has thrown its full support behind the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which plans to commence an industrial action against the Dangote Refinery.

The dispute centres on the refinery management’s alleged resistance to allowing its employees to unionise. PENGASSAN, in a statement by its General Secretary, Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa, accused Dangote of consistently resisting all diplomatic efforts to allow workers to join unions, a right guaranteed by Nigerian labour laws and international standards.

PENGASSAN warned that if the situation is not resolved through immediate dialogue, it would have “no option but to join in shutting down the refinery operations” to protect workers’ rights. It emphasised that the consequences of denying these rights would impact the entire industry.

Together, these developments place immense pressure on the government and major corporations, with the potent threat of simultaneous strikes that could paralyse the country’s economy and fuel supply.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts