Worried by the consequences of the strike embarked upon by workers of Dangote Refinery, some eminent Nigerians have waded into the dispute and proffered practical solutions that will avert future disputes and devastating effects on the nation and its citizens The eminent Nigerians who included Atedo Peterside, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, Osita Chidoka, Senator Sola Akinyede, Abubakar Siddique Mohammed and Aisha Yesufu, among others stated in a statement titled “Joint Statement on the Dangote Refinery Dispute”, that even though the crisis between the oil industry stakeholders has been de-escalated through mediation by the federal government, the episode raises important lessons for Nigeria’s economic future.
Dated, 6th October, 2025, the statement partly read: “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”, the statement stressed
“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”, it added.
The signatories therefore presented three principles, which they believe will help in resolving the crisis in the oil sector, which includes respecting workers’ rights, protection of market productivity, and ensuring Social responsibility and accountability.
The signatories also acknowledged concerns about market dominance. They said, “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.”
They however commended the Federal Government, labour unions, and Dangote Refinery for stepping back from confrontation and resolving the dispute through dialogue, adding that the crisis is not about a refinery or any other business. It is about the direction of Nigeria’s economy.
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