Kukah, Sanusi, Atedo, Others Urge Labour to Protect National Interest, Defend Dangote Refinery
A coalition of respected Nigerian leaders — including Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II, and business icon Atedo Peterside — has cautioned organised labour against actions that could destabilize Nigeria’s economy or disrupt operations at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a joint statement signed by the group, which also included Osita Chidoka, Opeyemi Adamolekun, and Aisha Yesufu, the leaders warned that industrial unrest targeting the refinery threatens Nigeria’s energy stability and investor confidence.
“The right to organise cannot become a licence to hold the economy hostage,” the statement read. “Productive enterprises that create jobs and lower costs must be safeguarded.”
They praised the federal government’s intervention in defusing tensions but urged dialogue and restraint in managing labour disputes.
The group described the Dangote Refinery as a national lifeline, noting that its operations have already led to visible reductions in fuel and transport costs. “This refinery shows how local productivity can improve daily life and restore investor confidence,” they said.
Dismissing claims of monopoly, they explained that the refinery operates in a competitive environment regulated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). “Anyone can invest in refining if they have the resources and expertise,” they emphasized.
The statement concluded with a call for unity: “This crisis is not about one refinery; it’s about the future of our economy — whether we build on productivity or return to scarcity. The Dangote Refinery is a symbol of industrial courage that must be protected, not politicized.”
