Dangote refinery not monopoly, industrial disputes scare investors away, Kukah, Sanusi, others say
By Jeffrey Agbo
Several national figures have aired their concerns on the recent dispute between the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, recently attributed the scarcity in cooking gas to a temporary loading and disruption during the strike action by PENGASSAN.
Ojulari also said Nigeria lost 200,000 barrels per day of crude oil to the strike action, culminating in a total of over 600,000 barrels during the three-day supply disruption.
In a joint statement dated October 6, 2025, 13 individuals, including Bishop Matthew Kukah, Emir of Kano Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II and businessman Atedo Peterside, noted that Dangote refinery must be protected just as workers rights ought to be respected.
Their statement read, “We, the undersigned, note with concern the recent disputes and disruptions surrounding the Dangote Refinery. Although the immediate crisis has been de-escalated through government mediation and renewed dialogue between labour and management, the episode raises important lessons for Nigeria’s economic future.
“For decades, Nigerians endured the collapse of government-owned refineries, the waste of trillions of naira in subsidies, and dependence on fuel imports. These failures left citizens exposed to scarcity, inflation, and insecurity. In this context, the Dangote Refinery represents more than a private venture; it is a national symbol of what bold domestic investment can achieve.
“Already, the refinery has begun to ease supply pressures, with petrol prices in some parts of the country dropping from around ₦1,500 per litre to about ₦820 — a 55% reduction. This impact on transport costs and food prices offers Nigerians a glimpse of how local productivity can improve daily life. It also signals to investors at home and abroad that industry, rather than speculation, can still thrive in Nigeria.
“However, the strikes and threats that accompanied this transition send the wrong signals. Industrial disputes, if not carefully managed, risk discouraging both domestic and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria most needs capital and innovation. A refinery of this scale is a national lifeline, with profound consequences for jobs, energy security, and inflation.”
They underscored three principles which include respecting workers’ rights, protecting markets and productivity and keeping social responsibility and accountability central.
“We also note that concerns about monopoly or market dominance should not be settled by disruptive industrial action. Nigeria has institutions, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), that are mandated to assess such claims. Where there are legitimate issues of pricing or dominance, the proper channel is through these statutory bodies, not strikes that harm ordinary Nigerians. Moreover, as has been noted, there is no legal monopoly here; others are free to invest in refining, provided they can mobilise the necessary resources and expertise.
“We commend the Federal Government, labour unions, and Dangote Refinery for stepping back from confrontation and resolving this dispute through dialogue. We urge that this spirit of constructive engagement becomes a template for the future. At the same time, we must stress the dangers that such disruptions pose to investor confidence, economic stability, and Nigeria’s strategic interest in reducing dependency on imports.
“This crisis is not about a refinery or any other business. It is about the direction of our economy: whether we will continue in a cycle of scarcity and rent-seeking or build a future anchored in productivity, fairness, and shared prosperity. The Dangote refinery represents an audacious step forward. It should not be undermined but strengthened — as a signal to other industrialists that investing in Nigeria’s future is worthwhile,” they added.
The statement was signed by Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Aisha Yesufu, Arunma Oteh, Atedo Peterside, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Dr. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman and Dudu Mamman Manuga.
Others are Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, Sarkin Kano, Obonganwan Barbara Etim James, Opeyemi Adamolekun, Osita Chidoka and Senator Sola Akinyede.
