By Ayomide Otitoju
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has described the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a transformative national asset capable of closing Nigeria’s fuel supply gap, boosting jobs, and reviving confidence in local industrial capacity.
Speaking during a tour of the refinery and Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Lagos State NLC Chairperson, Comrade Funmi Sessi, lauded the scale and strategic importance of the Dangote Group’s investments, saying they were delivering “tangible benefits” to Nigerians.
She noted that the refinery’s entry into the market following the removal of petrol subsidies had helped stabilise soaring fuel prices, calling it a clear demonstration of private sector leadership.
The NLC urged the Federal Government to prioritise the sale of crude oil to the refinery in naira, arguing that forcing local refiners to import or buy in dollars undermines the potential for lower pump prices. “If the government is truly committed to reducing fuel prices and supporting local refining, it must sell crude oil to Dangote in naira,” Sessi said.
With a 650,000-barrel-per-day capacity and Euro 5-compliant fuel production, the union said the refinery could meet domestic needs and supply the West African sub-region while enhancing Nigeria’s global standing. It also praised Dangote’s fertiliser exports as a boost to food security and a step towards reducing agricultural imports.
Dangote Industries Vice President, Oil and Gas, Devakumar Edwin, revealed plans to deploy 4,000 Compressed Natural Gas-powered trucks to cut logistics costs and ensure domestic refining benefits reach consumers. He added that the refinery’s success would spur competition in the sector, much like Dangote’s ventures in sugar and cement.
Edwin also highlighted the company’s role in training Nigerian engineers and technicians who have gone on to work globally, reaffirming Aliko Dangote’s commitment to national development.
