Popular Activist Abiodun Aremu killed by Hit-and-Run Driver.

Prominent Nigerian activist and secretary of the Joint Action Front (JAF), Comrade Abiodun Aremu, has died following a hit-and-run accident in Ota, Ogun State. He was 65.

The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening when the veteran pro-labour campaigner was struck by an unidentified driver while crossing the road around 6:00 p.m. Eyewitnesses said the driver fled the scene immediately, leaving Aremu critically injured.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors battled to save his life, but he was pronounced dead shortly after despite attempts to revive him with oxygen.

Confirming his passing, Owei Lakemfa, former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity and ex-acting General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), described Aremu’s death as a huge loss to the labour movement.

Lakemfa, speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Movement, said the late activist “joined the pantheon of revolutionaries” on Sunday, October 12, 2025.

He described Aremu as “one of the greatest revolutionaries and internationalists of our time,” adding that his contributions to workers’ rights, democracy, and social justice in Nigeria would never be forgotten.

According to Lakemfa, Aremu will now be laid to rest on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at his residence located at No. 30, Kabiru Fatoye Street, Opposite Alaka Field, Ijako Sugar Bus Stop, Ifo Road, along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.

He explained that the burial date, originally scheduled for October 13, was shifted to allow adequate time for mobilisation of comrades, labour leaders, and civil society groups who wish to pay their final respects.

“The greatest honour we can give our fearless teacher and leader is to continue in his footsteps and build a world founded on social justice,” Lakemfa said.

"Time for pleading is over"- NLC begins mobilization for nationwide strike.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its affiliate unions to commence full-scale mobilization for a nationwide strike against Dangote Group.

Naija News reports that the directive was issued in an internal memo signed by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, on September 29, 2025.

Ajaero accused Dangote of a “deliberate anti-worker crusade” and disregard for Nigeria’s labour laws, stressing that the time for “pleading and fruitless dialogue” with the conglomerate was over and that the moment had come for “decisive, collective action.”

The memo read, “The ongoing disputes with PENGASSAN and NUPENG are only symptoms of a deeper problem: a systemic anti-labour policy of union-busting, worker exploitation, and disregard for the rule of law that defines the Group’s industrial relations practices.

“For too long, the Dangote Group has operated like a state within a state, flouting Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, violating ILO Conventions 87 and 98, and treating our labour laws with contempt. Its facilities have become plantations of exploitation where workers’ dignity is deliberately crushed in pursuit of profit for a few.

“The time for pleading and fruitless dialogue is over. The moment for decisive, collective action is now. All affiliate unions are hereby placed on immediate and full alert, begin vigorous and comprehensive unionisation of all workers within Dangote facilities under your jurisdiction. This is a strategic priority.

“Commence preparations to mobilise members and resources for full-scale, decisive engagement against the Dangote Group’s anti-labour stance.

“The Congress also issued clear demands to the Dangote Group: “Unconditional respect for workers’ right to freely join unions of their choice, an end to intimidation, victimisation, and union-busting activities, and full compliance with Nigeria’s labour laws and institutions.

“To enforce the directive, each affiliate union has been instructed to immediately set up an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC National Secretariat within 72 hours to coordinate strategy, logistics, and communication. Unity of purpose and action is non-negotiable.

“The NLC accused the Dangote Group of operating with impunity, alleging that regulatory authorities had failed to rein in its excesses. The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with the collective resistance of organised labour. No amount of propaganda or paid agents will stop us from defending workers’ rights, especially in the face of regulatory capture, where the state appears to have abdicated its duty to hold this conglomerate accountable.

“The blood and sweat of Nigerian workers built the Dangote empire; we will not allow it to become a monument to their oppression. Together we stand! Together, we will overcome!”

Why Must Dangote Bully Everybody Out Of Business? They Did It In Sugar And Cement Ogbeifun Reveals.

Brown Ogbeifun, also known as Dr. Louis Brown Ogbeifun, a former President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), has accused the Dangote Group of stifling competition and showing disregard for workers’ rights.

Speaking on Channels Television on Monday, September 29, 2025, Ogbeifun, who is also a retired Manager of Employee Relations at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and ex-President of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC), emphasized that unionization was a right recognized by Nigerian labor laws.

“Let us get it straight. It is the right of the union to organize by labor laws. What we are seeing here today is an organization that has no respect for human dignity, for worker dignity,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether there had been any engagement with Dangote Refinery before the unions moved to strike action, Ogbeifun insisted that there had been efforts but alleged that some workers were fired simply for joining unions.

“It is not about PENGASSAN or NUPENG. The question is the kind of thing that happened in Dangote as it grew. Why must Dangote organization bully everybody out of business? They did it in sugar. They did it in cement. You saw what happened to BOA in cement. Must we build a monopoly around Dangote organization?” he asked.

Ogbeifun acknowledged Aliko Dangote’s contributions to Nigeria’s economy, especially in oil and gas, but maintained that the group’s approach to labor relations and market dominance raises concerns.

He further stressed that the situation reflects a wider systemic failure:“Both organizations can come together PENGASSAN, NUPENG, and the Dangote Group. What we are seeing today is failure of the conflict resolution system in the country.”

"Dangote is the person sabotaging our economy"- PENGASSAN president.

The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has accused the chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, of sabotaging the Nigerian economy.

News recalls that the row between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery escalated on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after the union directed all its members across the country to withdraw their services, following the reported sack of at least 800 workers.

The development, union leaders said, amounted to a direct attack on workers’ rights and the freedom of association, following the mass enrollment of staff in PENGASSAN at the refinery.

The refinery’s management, however, insists that the dismissals were part of an internal restructuring exercise.

The company also resisted unionisation efforts by its workers, sparking accusations of anti-labour practices.

Speaking on the ongoing rift, Osifo, during an interview on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, said Dangote is Sabotaging Nigeria’s economy despite benefiting from the country.

He said, “The person that is sabotaging our economy is Aliko Dangote. The man is who he is today because of Nigeria.

“Nigeria gave Dangote a single licence to import flour, sugar and salt.

“Dangote built his refinery with our money; the Nigerian government subsidised FX for him to build the refinery.”

Dangote Is The Person Sabotaging Our Economy PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo.

The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has accused the chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, of sabotaging the Nigerian economy.

The row between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery escalated on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after the union directed all its members across the country to withdraw their services, following the reported sack of at least 800 workers.

The development, union leaders said, amounted to a direct attack on workers’ rights and the freedom of association, following the mass enrollment of staff in PENGASSAN at the refinery.

The refinery’s management, however, insists that the dismissals were part of an internal restructuring exercise.

The company also resisted unionisation efforts by its workers, sparking accusations of anti-labour practices.

Speaking on the ongoing rift, Osifo, during an interview on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, said Dangote is Sabotaging Nigeria’s economy despite benefiting from the country.

He said, “The person that is sabotaging our economy is Aliko Dangote. The man is who he is today because of Nigeria.

“Nigeria gave Dangote a single licence to import flour, sugar and salt.

“Dangote built his refinery with our money; the Nigerian government subsidised FX for him to build the refinery.”

FG Urges NUPENG To Suspend Strike, Convenes Meeting Monday

The Federal Government has appealed to the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to suspend its planned nationwide strike slated for Monday, September 8, 2025.

Labour Minister Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, in a statement signed by ministry spokesperson Patience Onuobia, urged both NUPENG and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to halt industrial actions while the government intervenes in the dispute with the Dangote Group over alleged anti-union practices.

Dingyadi said a conciliation meeting has been scheduled for Monday, stressing that any disruption in the petroleum sector could cause huge economic losses and hardship for Nigerians.

NUPENG had announced the strike in protest of Dangote Refinery’s reported restrictions on its compressed natural gas (CNG) tanker drivers from joining unions. While some driver associations have distanced themselves from the action, NUPENG on Sunday reaffirmed its readiness to proceed.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, backed the union, arguing that Dangote’s policy violates Nigeria’s Constitution, labour laws, and international conventions on workers’ rights.

PETROAN Set For Nationwide Shutdown Over Alleged Monopoly

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has announced a planned three-day nationwide shutdown of fuel lifting and dispensing starting Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

According to PETROAN President Billy Gillis-Harry, the action is to resist alleged monopolistic practices in the downstream petroleum sector, safeguard workers’ rights, and prevent the dominance of a single player in the industry.

The group warned that aggressive policies linked to Dangote Refinery could push depot owners, modular refineries, and transport operators out of business, leading to job losses and worsening economic hardship.

PETROAN urged President Bola Tinubu and other key stakeholders to intervene, adding that a 120-man compliance team will oversee safety during the shutdown.

Ref: Channels TV
#PETROAN #Petrol #Nigeria #NNPCL #FuelCrisis #BreakingNews

Workers’ Group Condemns Planned Salary Hike For Politicians
August 24, 2025

The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) has slammed the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s (RMAFC) plan to increase salaries for the President, governors, legislators, and other political office holders, calling it a “callous insult” to Nigerians.

SNWR said the proposal comes amid rising inflation, poverty, and strikes by workers demanding fair wages, accusing the government of rewarding politicians while neglecting ordinary citizens. It urged labour unions, students, and civil groups to mobilise protests to resist the move.

#WorkersRights #NigeriaEconomy #SayNoToSalaryHike