National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged Federal Government to take swift action to safeguard Dangote Refinery amid rising tensions that could destabilise the nation’s fuel supply chain.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement signed by Usman Adamu Nagwaza, Senate President of NANS, the student body voiced concern over the refinery’s dispute with Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). The association warned that if the matter is not quickly resolved, it could spiral into a nationwide fuel crisis.
It said, “While we respect the right of workers to organise and protect their interests, joining any union remains a matter of free will, not coercion. Threats of a national shutdown because of union disputes are unacceptable and dangerous for a nation still recovering from economic shocks.”
NANS stressed that strike actions or sabotage targeting the refinery could wipe out the gains achieved in recent months under the Tinubu administration in stabilising fuel supply.
It said, “The return of fuel scarcity would have dire economic consequences for Nigerians. We have witnessed relative stability in recent months, and that should not be jeopardized.”
The student body also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery efforts, while raising alarm over intelligence reports of alleged plots to attack the refinery’s new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks.
It said, “Credible security reports suggest that certain oil cartels, long known for profiting from fuel subsidy scams and cross-border smuggling, are now scheming to burn or destroy Dangote’s CNG-powered trucks.”
“This is a direct attack not just on a private entity, but on the future of Nigeria’s energy independence.”
NANS called on the National Security Adviser and other security agencies to prioritise the protection of all critical infrastructure linked to fuel production and distribution.
It added, “We will not sit idle while selfish interests seek to destroy what has already become a national asset.”
“The refinery is not just a business — it is a knowledge hub and an opportunity center for thousands of Nigerian graduates.”
While acknowledging NUPENG’s right to organise, the student body appealed for dialogue, warning the union against being unwitting tools in the hands of economic saboteurs.
