The Economic Rights Activists, a civic group, has condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress’s planned nationwide strike, warning that it could disrupt fuel distribution and damage the country’s economy. The strike, set to begin on Monday, is a response to alleged anti‑union practices at the Dangote Refinery and accusations of monopolistic control in the downstream petroleum sector.
According to the group’s Executive Director, Dr. Josiah Inuwa, the industrial action would mainly affect ordinary citizens—small business owners, transport operators, and families—rather than corporate giants. He cautioned that the strike could raise transport fares, increase food prices, and cause power outages in hospitals, ultimately harming the Nigerian people.
The Economic Rights Activists cited past oil‑sector strikes, such as the 2012 fuel‑subsidy protests and the 2020 industrial actions, which led to significant economic losses and deepened recessionary pressures. They warned that a similar outcome could threaten Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery and President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.
Inuwa questioned the timing of the strike, suggesting it may align with vested interests seeking to undermine Nigeria’s push for energy self‑sufficiency through the Dangote Refinery. He accused the unions of becoming pawns of cartels that profit from the status quo, criticized union leaders for hypocrisy, and said they were bypassing civilized dispute‑resolution mechanisms.
The group called on the unions to suspend the strike and return to negotiations, urging President Tinubu, the Ministry of Labour, and relevant agencies to facilitate constructive engagement and resist union pressure. It also urged the Dangote Refinery to address worker concerns about unionization and labor conditions transparently.
Furthermore, the Economic Rights Activists appealed to the National Industrial Court and the Department of State Services to create mechanisms that deter irresponsible strike threats that weaponize critical sectors such as oil and gas. They asked the National Assembly to summon all parties to ensure transparency and investigate possible sabotage by cartels benefiting from Nigeria’s fuel‑import dependency.
Inuwa emphasized that the strike threat is not a noble struggle but a calculated move for control and monopoly. He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against manipulation, noting that the progress achieved through President Tinubu’s economic reforms is fragile and vulnerable to disruption. Resolving the dispute through dialogue and constructive engagement is therefore essential.
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