WE CAN’T AFFORD TO FAIL WITH DANGOTE REFINERY – GOV. SULE WARNS, URGES PENGASSAN, FG, AND DANGOTE TO DIALOGUE

LAGOS/ABUJA – Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has raised the alarm over the brewing crisis between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery, cautioning that any disruption to the operations of Africa’s largest oil refining complex would bring Nigeria nothing short of global ridicule.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television yesterday, the governor described the refinery as a “national asset” that transcends Aliko Dangote’s private ownership, warning that disputes and strikes could undermine Nigeria’s credibility before the international community.

> “We can’t afford a situation in which an institution such as this is run down. In fact, the world will laugh at us,” Governor Sule warned.

He noted that the Dangote Refinery, which has already commenced exportation of petroleum products, had significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imports and provided stability in the supply of fuel, fertiliser, and petrochemicals.

According to him, “The Dangote refinery in Nigeria is not for Dangote alone; it is for Nigeria. It has spared us many issues and problems. Nigeria may no longer worry about fertiliser and petrochemicals.”

Governor Sule appealed for immediate dialogue between PENGASSAN, the Dangote management, and the Federal Government to resolve the impasse, stressing that industrial unrest around the facility would be too costly for the nation to bear.

On the allegations of mass dismissal of workers, the governor defended the company’s position, insisting that operations at such a complex facility could not continue without a steady flow of gas and oil supply.

“Dangote did not just wake up to sack all alleged workers. He needs people to run his refinery—thousands of them. If there is a disruption in supply, operations will be crippled. I have run a sugar refinery before; once the pipes are clogged, they rust, and you sometimes have to cut them down to replace them. It is not in Dangote’s interest to create any commotion,” he explained.

Governor Sule’s remarks come at a time when the Dangote Refinery—touted as a game-changer for Nigeria’s energy sector—is under intense public and labour scrutiny. Industry analysts have warned that political interference, labour disputes, and infrastructural setbacks could stall the nation’s long-awaited march toward energy independence.

The stakes could not be higher: if the refinery falters, Nigeria risks sliding back into crippling fuel imports, ballooning subsidy bills, and a shattered reputation as Africa’s largest oil producer that cannot refine its own crude.