Vice President Kashim Shettima calls Dangote Refinery a national treasure, urges patriotism as government asserts Nigeria’s interest above PENGASSAN dispute.
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, describing it as a strategic national asset essential to Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Speaking at the Nigerian Economic Summit 2025 in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima underscored that the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility must be supported “at all costs” to ensure success, a stance echoed by Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu.
Shettima, addressing tensions following last week’s industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), emphasized that “Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN.” He framed the refinery as a project of national pride, symbolizing domestic industrial resilience and private-sector commitment amid global economic challenges.
In his words, “Aliko Dangote, he’s not an individual, he’s an institution, and he’s a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament. And how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, in Amazon, or in Google, he probably might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now.”
Shettima praised Dangote’s decision to invest locally rather than abroad, calling it an act of faith in Nigeria’s future. “We owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and protect the interests of this great Nigeria,” he stated, urging both labour and the private sector to show “caution, retrospection, and a deeper sense of patriotism.”
The Vice President warned against holding the nation “to ransom because of a minor labour dispute,” reinforcing the government’s call for unity in safeguarding industrial stability. His remarks highlight Abuja’s intent to anchor economic growth around domestic investment champions like Dangote Industries.
