 has voiced strong opposition to the employment of 89 individuals said to be unskilled labourers){kind=link}
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has voiced strong opposition to the employment of 89 individuals said to be unskilled labourers from Katsina State at the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
In a statement issued by the Lagos chapter of the NLC, the group criticised both the Lagos State Government and the refinery management, warning that the move breaches labour standards and could endanger local security.
Public concern erupted after a viral video showed the newly arrived workers gathered outside the refinery.
The Lagos State Police Command later confirmed the authenticity of the video, stating that the individuals were brought from Katsina for jobs at the refinery.
A contractor reportedly told authorities he arranged their relocation for lawful employment.
However, the NLC’s Lagos chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, argued that the recruitment undermines job opportunities for residents and defies standard labour engagement rules.
Speaking to Daily Trust in Abuja, Sessi stated that companies operating in any locality are required to prioritise hiring from within that area.
She questioned the rationale behind sourcing low-skilled workers from another state when many unemployed youths live around the refinery.
“What skillset do they possess that locals don’t? It’s unfair and an insult to the host community,” she said.
Sessi also criticised Dangote Group for repeatedly hiring foreign nationals for roles that could be filled by Nigerians, describing it as a recurring pattern.
She urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ministry of Labour to step in before the situation escalates.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery responded by distancing itself from the hiring.
A spokesperson claimed the workers were brought in by one of the vendors and assured the public that the matter is under investigation.