May 19, 2025
By Ayinde Adeleke
The Lagos State Government has launched an investigation into the employment of 89 labourers from Katsina State at the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.
This decision follows a viral video showing the young men arriving in Lagos, sparking security concerns among locals and on social media.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the individuals are legitimate workers recruited for the refinery.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the contractor responsible for the men’s recruitment and the refinery’s Chief Security Officer both confirmed the arrangement.
The workers were thoroughly searched, and no incriminating items were found in their possession.
Each person properly identified themselves and presented their National Identification Numbers, which were duly verified.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed outrage over the recruitment, citing a breach of labour laws and a threat to local security.
NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, claims that the law requires at least 70% of such jobs to go to locals.
“This is unacceptable. Dangote has done this before, bringing in outsiders and even foreigners,” she said.
The labour leader has threatened a protest if the issue isn’t addressed.
However, a civil society organization, Citizens for Inclusive Development and Economic Justice, has dismissed the NLC’s criticism as misguided and sectional.
They argue that the refinery should not be dragged into “localised labour politics” and that the key issue is whether the recruitment process met the required standards, not where the workers came from.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has assured that the investigation is ongoing, and security agencies are aware of the situation.
“We are investigating the matter. I’m sure security agencies are also not unaware of it. It will be nice to let them do their investigation,” Omotoso said.
