…Says facility is a national asset, not a target for sabotage
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on stakeholders in the petroleum industry to halt what it described as persistent hostilities and opposition against the Dangote Refinery, warning that such confrontations threaten national development.
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, the student body said it was disturbed by the “continued face-off” between several industry groups and the refinery, despite its crucial role in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel and saving billions of dollars annually.
According to NANS, associations such as the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) have at different times clashed with the refinery since it began full operations.
“The persistent opposition from various sectors, seemingly aimed at frustrating and crippling the refinery, is indeed perturbing and must be addressed urgently,” Comrade Oladoja said.
The student body stressed that the refinery has stabilised fuel supply, reduced scarcity, created thousands of jobs, and strengthened Nigeria’s foreign reserves by cutting down on petroleum product imports.
Oladoja added:“The Dangote Refinery is not just a private venture; it is a national asset. It strengthens energy security, creates jobs, boosts revenue, drives industrial growth, and positions Nigeria as a major refining power in Africa.”
NANS further urged all stakeholders to put aside vested interests and embrace collective responsibility in supporting the refinery, insisting that any attempt to frustrate its operations would amount to sabotaging the Nigerian economy.
