Prominent Nigerians have called for restraint and sustained dialogue following the recent dispute at the Dangote Refinery, warning that industrial disruptions of such magnitude could derail efforts to stabilise the economy and restore confidence in local production.
In a joint statement by Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, Aisha Yesufu, Arunma Oteh, Atedo Peterside COM, Bishop Matthew Kukah CON, Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman and Dudu Mamman Manuga Tuesday, the coalition of concerned stakeholders commended the Federal Government, labour unions, and Dangote Refinery management for de-escalating tensions through dialogue, but warned that future industrial disruptions could undermine investor confidence and economic recovery.
The statement described the Dangote Refinery as “more than a private venture,” calling it a national symbol of what bold domestic investment can achieve after decades of failure in Nigeria’s state-run refineries and wasteful subsidy regimes.
“Already, the refinery has begun to ease supply pressures, with petrol prices in some parts of the country dropping from around N1,500 per litre to about N820, a 55 percent reduction. This impact on transport costs and food prices offers Nigerians a glimpse of how local productivity can improve daily life,” the group noted.
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However, the signatories of the statement cautioned that strikes and threats of shutdowns could reverse this progress. “Industrial disputes, if not carefully managed, risk discouraging both domestic and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria most needs capital and innovation,” the statement said.
Emphasising a balanced approach, the group outlined three key principles for sustainable growth: respect for workers’ rights, protection of productive enterprises, and commitment to social responsibility.
They stressed that while workers have the constitutional right to organise and demand fair treatment, such rights “cannot become a licence to hold the economy hostage.”
The statement also dismissed claims of monopoly against Dangote Refinery, arguing that Nigeria has regulatory institutions, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to handle such concerns.
“Where there are legitimate issues of pricing or dominance, the proper channel is through these statutory bodies, not strikes that harm ordinary Nigerians,” it added.
The coalition further urged transparency and community reinvestment from major investors, saying enterprises of such magnitude carry a social responsibility to the people they serve.
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“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,” the statement addded.
Other signees of the statement include Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri, Khalifa, Muhammad Sanusi II, Sarkin Kano, Obonganwan Barbara Etim James, Opeyemi Adamolekun, Osita Chidoka and Senator Sola Akinyede.
