Financial advisor and educator, Kalu Aja, has sparked debate after accusing the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) of holding Nigerians “hostage” with its latest industrial dispute.
This comes as the Department of State Services (DSS) once again intervened in the ongoing labour disagreement between Dangote Refinery and NUPENG. The DSS stepped in to prevent the collapse of a previously signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which granted workers the freedom to join any union of their choice without interference.
Despite this agreement, tensions have resurfaced. According to Aja, NUPENG is threatening to embark on strike action simply because the Dangote Group refused to join its union.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Aja wrote:
“Think about this.
A union, NUPENG, is on strike because a private company, Dangote, has refused to join their private union.
When I say NUPENG holds Nigerians to ransom, this is my evidence.”
His comments have reignited conversations about the power of labour unions in Nigeria and their impact on the economy, particularly in critical sectors like oil and gas.
While labour unions play a vital role in protecting workers’ rights, critics argue that frequent strikes and threats of industrial action often place additional burdens on ordinary Nigerians who already struggle with economic hardships.
As the standoff continues, many are closely watching to see whether the DSS can maintain the fragile truce and prevent further disruptions.
