The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has appealed to stakeholders in the petroleum sector to cease hostilities against the Dangote Refinery, describing the facility as a national asset critical to Nigeria’s development.
The call comes in reaction to a publication reportedly issued by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), which NANS said highlights ongoing disputes between the refinery and industry groups.
In a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, NANS expressed concern over the repeated face-offs between the refinery and associations such as the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
“Since the refinery commenced full operations, there have been persistent disputes that appear aimed at frustrating and crippling its activities,” Oladoja said. “This is deeply troubling and must be addressed without delay.”
Highlighting the refinery’s importance, NANS noted that before its establishment, Nigeria imported over 90 percent of its refined petroleum products, spending billions of dollars annually. The Dangote Refinery, with a 650,000-barrel-per-day capacity, has since reduced dependence on imports, stabilized fuel supply, and eased scarcity, the association said.
According to Oladoja, the refinery’s contributions extend beyond fuel security, as savings from reduced importation are now being redirected to infrastructure, agriculture, education, and other sectors. “The refinery has also created thousands of jobs, strengthened the naira, improved foreign reserves, and boosted investor confidence,” he added.
NANS stressed that stable fuel supply translates to reduced inflation, predictable transportation costs, uninterrupted power for homes and industries, and overall economic stability.
“The Dangote Refinery is not just a private venture; it is a national asset. It strengthens energy security, drives industrial growth, and positions Nigeria as a refining hub in Africa,” the statement read.
The student body urged all stakeholders to end the ongoing disputes, stressing that the refinery’s operations serve the collective interest of Nigerians. “As true patriots, it is our responsibility to protect national assets that secure livelihoods and build a prosperous nation,” Oladoja said.
