Oshiomhole Urges Nigerians To support Dangote Refinery Amid Labour Dispute

Former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has called for public support for the Dangote Refinery, describing it as a critical national investment that needs time to grow.

He spoke in an interview where he addressed the recent faceoff between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the refinery.

Oshiomhole said the union acted too hastily by escalating its disagreement with the company to a nationwide shutdown of the oil sector. According to him, while workers have the right to organize, such actions must not harm other Nigerians or endanger jobs in related sectors. He noted that unions should balance their rights with broader economic realities, especially in difficult times.

He explained that the Dangote Refinery, as a new private investment, is still in its growth phase and should be allowed to stabilise before being burdened with industrial disputes. Oshiomhole compared the situation to how governments offer tax breaks to new companies, saying such support gives employers room to build capacity and create lasting jobs.

The senator argued that PENGASSAN should have considered the refinery’s operational challenges, especially issues surrounding crude oil supply and pricing. He said any attempt to disrupt production at this stage could undermine Nigeria’s hope of ending fuel importation and achieving industrial self-sufficiency.

Oshiomhole also criticized the growing trend of contract employment in the private sector, particularly in banks. He said many workers remain without job security, pensions, or negotiating rights, even as their employers profit from their labour. He urged unions to confront these systemic problems rather than collect what he described as “protection fees” from corporate organizations without genuinely representing workers.

He further faulted the Ministry of Labour for failing to enforce proper procedures before unions resort to strikes. According to him, existing labour laws give the ministry enough authority to mediate disputes and prevent nationwide shutdowns that harm the economy.

The senator also reflected on his experience leading national strikes during his time at the NLC, saying such actions were always driven by causes that affected every Nigerian, not narrow disputes. He said modern unions must regain that sense of purpose and ensure that their actions are backed by public understanding and support.

Speaking on the state of Nigeria’s oil industry, Oshiomhole questioned why trade unions rarely hold government-owned refineries accountable for years of mismanagement and unfulfilled promises. He said unlike the dormant refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, Dangote has invested heavily in creating local refining capacity and deserves encouragement, not hostility.

Oshiomhole concluded that while unionism remains a fundamental right, workers must recognize that without strong employers, there can be no stable jobs. He said supporting industrial projects like the Dangote Refinery is in the country’s best interest, as it offers a path toward energy independence, job creation, and economic recovery.