Key points:
- Shettima calls for restraint in labour disputes. He says rash strikes hurt growth.
- He describes Dangote as “an institution” in the economy. He urges respect for his investment.
- Oil-workers’ strike is now suspended after top-level talks. Next steps will involve dialogue.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has weighed in on the refinery dispute. He urged oil workers to show restraint and patriotism. He warned that the way Nigeria treats Aliko Dangote will echo abroad. He spoke after a brief strike by senior oil workers.
Shettima framed the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery as a national asset. He said its success links to jobs, supply, and investor trust. “Aliko Dangote is not an individual, he’s an institution,” he said. “How we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders judge us.”
Why the refinery matters to Nigeria
The Vice President said the facility anchors industrial goals. It can deepen local processing and trim import bills. He argued that stable operations support price and supply. He also highlighted knock-on jobs across logistics and services.
Shettima praised Dangote for investing at home at huge scale. “He could have placed his funds in big tech overseas,” he said. “He chose Nigeria. We must protect, promote, and preserve that choice.”
For wider context on the group’s recent bets, see our report on the Dangote fertiliser plant in Ethiopia. That project targets three million tonnes of urea each year, as we noted in this follow-up brief.
Strike context and Shettima’s message
His intervention followed PENGASSAN’s action over alleged sackings. Reports said about 800 unionised staff were affected. The Labour Minister and the National Security Adviser stepped in. The union later suspended the strike to allow talks.
Shettima urged all sides to cool tensions. “Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN,” he said bluntly. He asked labour to avoid “holding the nation to ransom”. He promised that lawful grievances would get fair hearings.
The Presidency wants order while dialogue continues. It also wants signals that Nigeria values big industry. Shettima’s remarks tied both themes in one message. Protect investment, but keep labour rights within due process.
He closed with a note on image and trust. Investors watch how disputes are handled in public. Calm steps, he said, help the refinery deliver its promise. He called for patience while formal channels work.
