Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has emphasised the need not to stifle the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers to join unions of their choice.
Kukah said this as he led a list of concerned Nigerians to mediate in the ongoing crisis between the Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN.
In a joint statement released by the Kukah and 12 others, the Bishop stated that the recent industrial strike had sent out wrong signals to investors.
Recall that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, on Monday, blamed the crisis for the scarcity and hike in prices of cooking gas.
“We, the undersigned, note with concern the recent disputes and disruptions surrounding the Dangote Refinery. Although the immediate crisis has been de-escalated through government mediation and renewed dialogue between labour and management, the episode raises important lessons for Nigeria’s economic future.
“For decades, Nigerians endured the collapse of government-owned refineries, the waste of trillions of naira in subsidies, and dependence on fuel imports. These failures left citizens exposed to scarcity, inflation, and insecurity. In this context, the Dangote Refinery represents more than a private venture; it is a national symbol of what bold domestic investment can achieve.
“Already, the refinery has begun to ease supply pressures, with petrol prices in some parts of the country dropping from around N1,500 per litre to about N820 — a 55% reduction. This impact on transport costs and food prices offers Nigerians a glimpse of how local productivity can improve daily life. It also signals to investors at home and abroad that industry, rather than speculation, can still thrive in Nigeria.
“However, the strikes and threats that accompanied this transition send the wrong signals. Industrial disputes, if not carefully managed, risk discouraging both domestic and foreign investment at a time when Nigeria most needs capital and innovation. A refinery of this scale is a national lifeline, with profound consequences for jobs, energy security, and inflation.
“Workers’ rights must be respected. The Constitution guarantees the right to organise and to demand fair treatment. No enterprise can succeed without motivated, fairly treated workers.
“Markets and productivity must be protected. The right to organise cannot become a license to hold the economy hostage. Productive enterprises that lower costs and create jobs must be safeguarded.
“Social responsibility and accountability must remain central. Investors of this magnitude must operate transparently, uphold fair labour practices, and reinvest in the communities they serve,” the statement partly noted.
Other members of the group include an educationist Abubakar Siddique Mohammed, human rights activist, Aisha Yesufu, economist, Arunma Oteh, and investment banker, Atedo Peterside.
