Vice President Kashim Shettima has described industrialist Aliko Dangote as “an institution” whose treatment serves as a reflection of Nigeria’s values and global reputation.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Monday at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja, Shettima praised Africa’s richest man for his sustained investments in Nigeria despite the difficulties of doing business in the country.
“Aliko Dangote, he’s not an individual, he’s an institution, and he’s a leading light in Nigeria’s economy. And how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us,” the Vice President said.
Shettima noted that Dangote could have chosen to invest his wealth abroad but instead committed billions to building industries that employ thousands and contribute significantly to the nation’s GDP.
“If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he probably might be worth $70 to $80 billion by now,” he said. “But he opted to invest in his country, and we owe it to future generations to jealously protect, promote, preserve, and protect the interests of this great Nigeria.”
Appeal for Dialogue Amid Labour Tensions
The Vice President also called for restraint and dialogue in ongoing labour disputes, warning against actions that could disrupt Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery.
“I wish to call for caution, retrospection, and a deeper sense of patriotism from both labour and the organised private sector in defining and improving the relationship between labour and industry in the interest of maintaining our steadily improving economic fortunes,” Shettima said.
He criticised attempts by some labour unions to shut down private operations over disputes, urging unions to prioritise national interest.
“It’s not about holding the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute. Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN. Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us. I’m not coming to you as a partisan,” he added.
Background
Shettima’s remarks come amid escalating tensions between the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Dangote Refinery. The union had directed its members to halt crude and gas supplies to the refinery—a move recently restrained by the National Industrial Court.
The Vice President’s comments underscore the administration’s emphasis on protecting key national investments and promoting dialogue between labour and industry.
