By Emmanuel Kwada
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for patriotism and restraint in the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, emphasizing that Nigeria’s interests supersede any trade union.
Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) themed “The Reform Imperative: Building a Prosperous and Inclusive Nigeria by 2030” in Abuja on Monday, Shettima described the refinery as a national asset that must be protected at all costs.
“Aliko Dangote is not just an individual; he’s an institution and a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament,” Shettima said. “How we treat him will determine how the world judges us. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN and each of us.” He highlighted Dangote’s decision to invest in Nigeria rather than global giants like Microsoft or Amazon, urging stakeholders to safeguard the refinery for future generations.
The Vice President’s remarks follow industrial action by PENGASSAN over disputes with the 650,000-barrels-per-day refinery. Shettima cautioned against actions that could hold the nation’s economy hostage, advocating for collaboration between labour and industry to bolster Nigeria’s economic fortunes.
In his opening address, NESG Chairman Olaniyi Yusuf underscored the importance of policy predictability and investment protection to attract foreign direct investment, which remains weak despite slight fiscal improvements.
“How we treat domestic investors like Dangote sends a signal to foreign investors,” Yusuf said, urging the government to prioritize transparent mechanisms for resolving disputes and addressing inflationary pressures and high debt obligations.
The summit highlighted the critical need for economic reforms to foster a stable and prosperous Nigeria by 2030, with Shettima and Yusuf calling for unity and strategic policies to rebuild investor confidence.
