The Nigerian labour movement has long stood as a pillar of advocacy for workers’ rights, social justice, and the pursuit of good governance. Historically, labour unions were at the forefront of national discourse, resisting oppressive regimes and championing the welfare of the common worker. However, recent developments have raised concerns about a shift in the ethos and motivations of labour leaders. What was once a movement grounded in collective welfare now appears, in some quarters, to have transformed into a pursuit marked by personal gain, commercialization, and questionable alliances.
The legacy of Nigerian labour is inextricably linked to the selfless leadership of figures such as Hassan Sunmonu, Ali Ciroma, and Frank Kokori. These leaders, emerging in the late 20th century, were renowned for their principled stand against injustice, their commitment to democratic ideals, and their willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for the greater good.
Hassan Sunmonu, as the first President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), established a template for focused, transparent, and inclusive leadership. His tenure was marked by rigorous advocacy for improved wages, workplace safety, and social justice, even in the face of military repression.
Ali Ciroma succeeded Sunmonu and continued to steer the NLC through turbulent periods, maintaining the union’s independence and credibility. His leadership style was consultative, pragmatic, and always aligned with the broader interests of Nigerian workers, often resisting government attempts at co-optation.
Frank Kokori, legendary for his role in the 1994 oil workers’ strike, exemplified courage and integrity. He mobilized workers not just for sectoral interests but also for the restoration of democracy, enduring imprisonment and personal loss for the cause. His legacy is a testament to the power of principled activism and the vital role of unions in shaping national destiny.
Contrasting sharply with these icons, contemporary Nigerian labour leadership faces mounting criticism for a perceived departure from foundational values. The term “labour aristocrats” has emerged to describe leaders whose actions appear motivated by personal enrichment, business interests, and political calculations rather than genuine advocacy. Today, union offices are often characterized by opaque decision-making, transactional negotiations, and alliances with powerful politicians and business magnates. The commercialization of union services – through consultancies, contract allocations, or direct involvement in business deals – has blurred the line between advocacy and profiteering. This shift has eroded the credibility of unions, alienated rank-and-file members, and diminished their moral authority in public discourse.
Motivations now frequently centre on short-term gains: lucrative settlements, allowances, or political appointments for leaders. The collective interests of workers are sometimes subordinated to personal ambition, with strikes and protests occasionally serving as bargaining chips rather than tools for systemic change.
Recent events involving the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have brought these contradictions into sharp relief. Recently, both unions embarked on strike actions targeting the Dangote Refinery, a landmark private sector project meant to transform Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.
The stated reasons for the strikes included alleged unfair labour practices, non-recognition of union rights, and disputes over working conditions. However, critics argue that the underlying motives may have included demands for union patronage and negotiations over employment quotas, contracts, or financial settlements. The opacity of negotiations and the rapid oscillation between confrontation and compromise fuelled suspicions that the strikes were less about systemic reform and more about securing leverage for union executives.
The impact of these actions was immediate and far-reaching. Supply disruptions led to fuel scarcity, with cascading effects on transportation, commerce, and daily life across Nigeria. At the same time, the strikes placed the nascent Dangote Refinery under immense pressure, complicating its efforts to stabilise operations and deliver on its promise of easing Nigeria’s perpetual fuel crises.
The Dangote Refinery, as the largest single-train refinery in Africa, represents both hope and controversy. Its operationalisation is intended to shift Nigeria from a net importer to a net exporter of refined petroleum products, with significant implications for foreign exchange, job creation, and energy security. However, the refinery has also become a flashpoint for labour unrest and market disruption. The strikes by PENGASSAN and NUPENG not only threatened the refinery’s output but also exposed the vulnerability of Nigeria’s energy infrastructure to industrial action. Importers and marketers faced uncertainty, while end-users bore the brunt of supply interruptions and price volatility.
Moreover, the confrontations highlighted the complex interplay between private capital, labour unions, and government regulators. The refinery’s management accused unions of making excessive demands and politicising industrial relations, while unions accused management of union-busting and undermining workers’ rights. The resultant stalemate underscored the urgent need for transparent, accountable, and fair labour relations in the sector.
The ongoing transformation of labour leadership in Nigeria carries significant implications for governance, the welfare of workers, and the delivery of essential services. As unions increasingly mirror the transactional logic of the political and business elite, their ability to serve as a check on excesses and a voice for the voiceless is undermined. For workers, the shift means diminished bargaining power, reduced trust in union leadership, and a sense of alienation from decision-making processes. For Nigerian society at large, the erosion of principled labour activism weakens one of the last remaining bulwarks against impunity and misgovernance. The oil and gas sector, vital to the nation’s economy, remains at risk of instability, with industrial actions often weaponised for narrow interests rather than collective benefit.
Furthermore, the commercialisation of union activities risks entrenching a new elite -labour aristocrats – whose interests may diverge sharply from those of the average Nigerian worker. This trend, if unchecked, could exacerbate inequality, foster cynicism, and undermine the prospects for genuine reform.
The Nigerian labour movement stands at a crossroads. The legacies of Hassan Sunmonu, Ali Ciroma, and Frank Kokori remind us of what principled, courageous, and selfless leadership can achieve. Yet, the current trajectory – marked by commercialisation, political entanglement, and declining public trust – threatens to erode these hard-won gains.
Reclaiming the moral high ground will require a recommitment to transparency, accountability, and the collective good. Labour unions must re-engage rank-and-file members, prioritize service delivery over self-interest, and resist the temptations of patronage and political co-optation. Only by restoring the values of principled activism can Nigerian labour hope to remain a credible force for social justice, good governance, and national progress.
For policymakers and civil society, the challenge is to institute frameworks that encourage ethical unionism, protect workers’ rights, and foster constructive engagement between labour, business, and government. The future of Nigerian workers – and the stability of critical sectors like oil and gas – may well depend on the choices made by today’s labour leaders.