“Dangote Is An Institution, Not An Individual – Shettima Warns PENGASSAN”

Vice President Kashim Shettima has appealed for calm and national interest in the ongoing dispute between Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), emphasizing that the refinery remains a vital national asset.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, Shettima stressed that Aliko Dangote represents far more than a single individual, describing him as “an institution and a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament.” According to Ireporter Online, the Vice President urged both labour unions and the private sector to demonstrate patriotism and restraint in resolving their differences, warning that their actions could influence investor confidence across multiple sectors of the economy.

He noted that the handling of the disagreement between Dangote and PENGASSAN would send a strong signal to both domestic and international investors regarding Nigeria’s business environment. Shettima further cautioned that no union should be allowed to hold the entire nation hostage, declaring, “Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN. Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.”

Reaffirming his stance, the Vice President said Dangote’s $10 billion investment in the refinery reflects deep faith in the country’s potential, adding that if such an investment had been made in international companies like Microsoft or Amazon, Dangote’s worth could have multiplied several times over.

Shettima called for patriotism and dialogue between the organised private sector and labour, describing the conflict as a minor dispute that should not jeopardize national economic stability. His remarks come amid ongoing industrial action by PENGASSAN over the right of refinery workers to unionize and the alleged dismissal of hundreds of employees at the Dangote facility.