The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lauded the Dangote Petroleum Refinery as a game-changer for the nation’s energy sector, calling it a major step toward affordable fuel, job creation, and industrial revitalisation.
Following a tour of the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Plant, Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, Funmi Sessi, praised the scale and impact of the Dangote Group’s investments.
She described the projects as “enormous and impressive,” noting their direct benefits to the Nigerian economy and workforce.
“We have seen first-hand the refinery and fertiliser plant, along with other strategic investments by the Dangote Group. These initiatives are helping close the gap in the supply of essential products, creating jobs, and driving industrial growth,” Sessi stated.
Reflecting on the fallout from petrol subsidy removal, she highlighted how the entry of Dangote into fuel production brought relief to Nigerians facing skyrocketing pump prices.
“It wasn’t until Dangote began refining that prices started stabilising. His intervention significantly reduced the cost of PMS and other refined products, showcasing strong private sector leadership,” she said.
Sessi urged the Federal Government to sell crude oil to the Dangote Refinery in naira rather than dollars, arguing that foreign currency transactions undermine the goal of making fuel more affordable.
“This country is blessed with crude oil, yet Dangote is still forced to import or buy it locally in dollars. If we’re serious about lowering fuel prices and promoting local refining, the government must sell crude in naira,” she insisted.
She explained that domestic crude sales in local currency would cut operational costs and help ensure long-term fuel price reductions.
With a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Refinery is poised to meet Nigeria’s fuel demands and even serve the wider West African market.
Sessi also noted that fertiliser exports via large vessels signal the broader economic potential of the facility.
Drawing parallels with the cement and sugar industries, she said Dangote’s leadership has a proven track record of stimulating market competition.
“Just like in cement and sugar, the refinery’s success will encourage more private sector players to invest in refining, deepening the industry and improving self-sufficiency,” she added.
Beyond its industrial contribution, Sessi praised the Dangote Group for nurturing local talent engineers, scientists, and technicians many of whom are now working as expatriates abroad.
She encouraged the company to continue investing in human capital, employee welfare, and economic development, commending Aliko Dangote as “a patriotic Nigerian committed to national progress.”
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