Dangote refinery is an ambitious project it shouldn’t be undermined. A group of prominent Nigerians has thrown their weight behind the refinery, warning labour unions, particularly the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), against actions that could undermine the facility.
The group condemned recent disruptions and threats of industrial action targeting the refinery as detrimental to Nigeria’s energy security and investment climate. “The right to organise cannot become a licence to hold the economy hostage,” the statement reads. “Productive enterprises that lower costs and create jobs must be safeguarded.”
The leaders lamented decades of neglect of government owned refineries, which led to fuel scarcity, inflation, and insecurity. They described the Dangote refinery as “a national symbol of what bold domestic investment can achieve”, noting its role in reducing fuel prices from about ₦1,500 per litre to around ₦820 in some areas, with corresponding drops in transport fares and food costs.
“This impact gives Nigerians a glimpse of how local productivity can improve daily life,” the statement added. “It also sends a message to investors that genuine industry can still thrive in Nigeria.” The group said workers’ rights must be exercised responsibly and within the law, dismissing monopoly allegations and clarifying that the refinery operates in an open market where others are free to invest.
The signatories commended the federal government, labour unions, and Dangote refinery management for stepping back from confrontation and urged all parties to embrace dialogue as a lasting solution. “This crisis is not about a refinery or any other business,” they said. “It is about the direction of our economy: whether we continue in a cycle of scarcity and rent seeking or build a future anchored on productivity, fairness, and shared prosperity.”
The group includes notable figures such as Atedo Peterside, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Matthew Kukah, Osita Chidoka, and Opeyemi Adamolekun, among others. They urged stakeholders with competition concerns to approach statutory regulators rather than resort to strikes or blockades.