The Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on Dangote Industries Limited to allow employees the right to unionize and to increase local employment in line with national labor laws.
The call was made by NLC Lagos Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sesi, during a tour of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertilizer Plant on Tuesday. The visit included senior NLC officials and members of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN).
“On behalf of NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, we are appealing to Dangote Industries to open its doors to unionization,” Sesi stated. “Organized labor is essential for protecting workers’ rights, improving workplace standards, and enhancing overall efficiency.”
Sesi also urged the company to align more closely with local labor laws, which recommend that at least 70% of a company’s workforce be drawn from host communities, while no more than 30% should be expatriates.
Dangote Reaffirms Commitment to Local Talent Development
Responding to the NLC’s appeal, Devakumar Edwin, Group Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries, reiterated the company’s strong commitment to local capacity building and employment.
He cited the company’s training center in Obajana, Kogi State, as a hub for developing skilled Nigerian professionals, with plans already in motion to establish a similar center in Lagos.
“Dangote has become a breeding ground for Nigerian engineers, scientists, and technicians,” Edwin said. “Many of our alumni now work across the globe as sought-after expatriates.”
Community Integration and Workforce Diversity
Edwin emphasized Dangote’s efforts to maintain a balanced and inclusive workforce, noting that:
22% of employees are from host communities,
50% are from within Lagos State, and
The remaining 28% hail from other regions of Nigeria.
“We believe that if our host communities are not happy, we cannot operate efficiently. Community satisfaction is a core business priority,” Edwin added.
He assured that the company remains open to constructive engagement with labor unions and stakeholders to continue fostering a safe, fair, and productive work environment.
