The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to develop a national policy framework to protect strategic private investments from what it described as “adversarial and unlawful union activities.”
The resolution followed a motion jointly sponsored by Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki at Tuesday’s plenary, in response to the recent industrial dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery in Lagos.
Doguwa, who led debate on the motion titled “The Need to Protect Strategic Private Investments from Adversarial Unionism,” lamented that the strike action by PENGASSAN disrupted operations at the $20 billion Dangote Refinery the world’s largest single-train facility leading to an estimated loss of 200,000 barrels of crude oil daily over three days.
He said the disruption worsened fuel scarcity across the country, triggering long queues at filling stations and economic losses.
“The Dangote Refinery is not just another private enterprise; it is a strategic national asset with the capacity to guarantee energy security, reduce import dependency, create jobs, and conserve foreign exchange,” Doguwa said.
“Any disruption of such magnitude has direct implications for the economy and the wellbeing of Nigerians.”
He noted that the refinery, located within the Lekki Free Trade Zone, operates under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), which, by law, regulates employment within the zone. Section 18(5) of the NEPZA Act stipulates that employment in the Free Zone is governed by rules made by the Authority and not by general labour laws.
Doguwa argued that any union action outside this framework violates the law and could discourage foreign and local investors.
Supporting the motion, Rep. Dasuki warned that recurring disruptions at key industrial facilities could erode investor confidence and undermine Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
Following deliberations, the House resolved to:
- Urge the Ministries of Labour and Employment; Industry, Trade and Investment; and Justice to develop and implement a policy framework to safeguard strategic investments from unlawful union activities.
- Direct the Ministry of Justice and NEPZA to enforce full compliance with Section 18(5) of the NEPZA Act.
- Mandate the Committees on Labour, Industry, and Justice to engage stakeholders to design a balanced framework that protects workers’ rights while preserving key investments.
- Require the Committees on Labour, Industry, and Legislative Compliance to report back within four weeks.
Lawmakers across party lines warned that unchecked industrial actions targeting national assets like the Dangote Refinery could cripple the economy and urged unions to prioritize dialogue over disruption.
