Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has cautioned that Nigeria risks international embarrassment if the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery is not quickly resolved.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Sule described the refinery as a critical “national asset” that has eased Nigeria’s import burdens and boosted domestic energy security. He urged dialogue among stakeholders, stressing that disruption of operations would undermine national interest.
“We cannot afford a situation where such an institution is weakened. If anything goes wrong, the world will laugh at us,” the governor said. “The Dangote refinery is not for Dangote alone. It belongs to Nigeria. It has saved us from huge import bills and opened up opportunities in petrochemicals and fertiliser production.”
Reacting to allegations of mass dismissal of workers, Sule defended the company, insisting the refinery requires a strong workforce to function effectively. “Dangote didn’t just wake up to sack workers. He needs thousands of people to run this refinery. It is not in his interest to create disruption,” he added.
Sule explained that disputes between management and unions are often the result of poor communication and appealed to PENGASSAN, Dangote management, and the federal government to urgently resolve the matter.
The controversy began on September 26 when PENGASSAN accused the refinery of sacking over 800 workers, threatening a nationwide strike. Dangote Group denied the figures, saying only a small number were affected in what it described as a reorganisation exercise.
The crisis escalated after PENGASSAN directed its members to cut crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery, an action the company labelled as “sabotage” of the country’s energy supply chain.
However, the National Industrial Court in Abuja has since issued an interim order halting the union’s planned strike.
Sule concluded by reiterating that the Dangote Refinery, which has already commenced petroleum exports, remains vital to Nigeria’s economy and cannot be allowed to fail.
