From the Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, renowned industrialist, Atedo Peterside, former Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC) Director-General, Arunma Oteh, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Kukah, came yesterday a pat on the back of the Federal Government, labour unions, and Dangote Refinery for stepping back from confrontation and resolving Dangote Refinery dispute through dialogue.
In a joint statement on the ‘Dangote Refinery Dispute’, they noted with concern the recent crisis 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,” they said.
They explained that 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,” they said.
“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 said.
The said that workers’ rights must be respected.
“The Constitution guarantees the right to organise and to demand fair treatment. No enterprise can succeed without motivated, fairly treated workers. Markets and productivity must be protected. The right to organise cannot become a license to hold the economy hostage. Productive enterprises that lower costs and create jobs must be safeguarded,” they said.
“Social responsibility and accountability must remain central. Investors of this magnitude must operate transparently, uphold fair labour practices, and reinvest in the communities they serve,” they said.
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“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,” they added.
“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,” they stated.
According to them, 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 on 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.