Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for restraint and constructive dialogue between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the management of the Dangote Refinery, warning that no group or individual must hold the nation’s economy hostage.
Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the opening of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima emphasised that industrial disputes in key sectors must be resolved through mutual understanding in the interest of national progress.
“Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN. Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us,” Shettima declared. “We cannot hold the whole nation to ransom because of issues that can be amicably settled across the table.”
The Vice President described Aliko Dangote as “not just an individual, but an institution”, commending the business magnate’s patriotism and deep commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth.
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“If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now,” Shettima said. “But he chose to invest in this country, and we owe it to future generations to protect, promote, and preserve the interests of such a Nigerian.”
Shettima explained that the Dangote Refinery, financed through a combination of equity, debt, and loans from local and international banks, must continue to function effectively to meet its financial obligations and sustain the country’s energy security.
He called on the organised and independent private sectors to exercise “caution, retrospection, and a sense of accountability” while addressing labour-related issues, stressing that the administration’s priority is to safeguard the interests of both the workforce and the economy.
“It’s not about holding the gold medal for ransom because of its high level of history,” he said. “The government expects far-reaching recommendations from the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) in addressing this issue, even as steps are being taken to protect the industry and ensure industrial harmony for the benefit of the entire population.”
Shettima reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and productivity within the oil and gas sector, urging all stakeholders to prioritise national interest over personal or institutional concerns.
“I am not coming to you as a partisan,” he added. “I am coming to you as a person in search of solutions to our national challenges.”
His remarks follow recent tensions between PENGASSAN and the management of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, where labour concerns have raised fears of possible disruption at the multibillion-dollar facility, considered critical to Nigeria’s fuel self-sufficiency and industrial revival.
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Shettima concluded by noting that the administration welcomes all recommendations from the ongoing summit and remains committed to protecting the refinery, ensuring industrial peace, and advancing inclusive growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
