NLC Warns Lagos Govt, Dangote Over Katsina Workers At Refinery
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Lagos State Government and the Dangote Refinery over the alleged recruitment of 89 unskilled labourers from Katsina State to work at the $28 billion facility in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
The NLC, through its Lagos State chapter, described the action as a violation of labour laws and a potential security risk to the host community.
A viral video had earlier shown the youths disembarking from a truck near the refinery, which led to public alarm and a police response.
The Lagos State police command, however, dispelled fears, confirming that the men were legitimately hired.
In a statement posted on X on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “Upon receipt of the information on May 14, 2025, officers from the command immediately deployed to the location to ascertain the facts. Preliminary investigations revealed that the young men in question, 89 in number, had arrived from Katsina State and were recruited to work as labourers at the Dangote Refinery in Lekki.”
Despite this, the Lagos NLC chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, maintained that the development was not only illegal but also dangerous.
She told Weekend Trust, “My position is that what the Dangote Refinery did is very wrong. These people are low-income earners. The rule of engagement and labour rules have stated clearly that 70 per cent of those in the locality should be given the opportunity while 30 per cent can be given to those who have skills.
“Which kind of skills will they tell us that these people have that the young people who are unemployed in the locality don’t have? Which competence don’t those people in the community have? This is an aberration.
“I believe Dangote can’t do this. He has companies in all parts of this country; why couldn’t he recruit these guys for his company in the northern part and reserve these ones for those in the South, where the refinery is situated?”
She called on Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Federal Ministry of Labour to intervene.
“Anyway, this is not the first time he is doing this. Dangote is fond of bringing in Indians and other expatriates as technicians.
“He prefers to bring foreigners who don’t even have the knowledge of our own local people. This is unacceptable to us.
“We are already calling him out. This is the first series of it. We are also using this opportunity to tell the government of Lagos State and the Federal Ministry of Labour that Dangote has committed an aberration of the highest order.
“Those guys should be taken back to Dangote’s companies in the northern part, not in Lagos State. If Dangote refuses to do this, we will involve the NLC at the national level to fight this act of bringing 89 unskilled workers to Lagos State.”
In response, the Dangote Refinery said it was not aware of the recruitment and was investigating the situation.
A spokesperson said in a text message to Weekend Trust, “We did not know anything about them. They were brought in by one of our vendors, working in the refinery. And as you know, for a project of that magnitude, we have so many vendors, working for us. We are already investigating the matter too.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
