FG Urges NESG to Mediate in Dangote, PENGASSAN Dispute

Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to mediate in the ongoing dispute between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery.

Speaking at the opening session of the Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja, Shettima said the federal government is concerned about the dispute and believes constructive dialogue is necessary to protect national economic interests.

The Vice President described Aliko Dangote as “an institution and a leading light in Nigeria’s economic space,” stressing that his investment in the country deserves respect and support. He noted that Dangote could have invested his $10 billion capital in global technology giants like Microsoft or Amazon but chose instead to invest in Nigeria.

“If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, probably he might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now — but he opted to invest in his country,” Shettima said. “We owe it to future generations to jealously protect and promote the interests of this great Nigerian.”

He urged Nigerians, especially labour unions and private sector leaders, to exercise restraint and patriotism in their dealings with local investors, warning that the way Nigeria treats its own entrepreneurs affects how foreign investors perceive the nation.

“I wish to call for caution, retrospection, and a deeper sense of patriotism from both labour and the organised private sector,” he said. “It’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN, and greater than each and every one of us.”

Shettima emphasized that the Dangote Refinery must remain functional to meet its financial obligations and serve national interests. He urged both sides to seek an amicable resolution through dialogue, rather than confrontation.

“The refinery has to function to service its debt. We cannot hold the whole nation to ransom over issues that can be settled across the table,” he said.

The Vice President further tasked the NESG with taking an active role in resolving the conflict, assuring that the government will welcome its recommendations on how to balance industrial harmony with national development.

According to Shettima, the call for NESG’s intervention reflects President Bola Tinubu’s position and the collective interest of Nigerians who desire a stable, thriving industrial environment.

He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to protecting major investments like the Dangote Refinery, which play a vital role in Nigeria’s economic recovery and self-sufficiency goals.