Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to tread carefully in its dealings with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and his conglomerate.
Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja on Monday, Shettima described Dangote as “an institution in Nigeria’s economic parlance,” warning that any attempt to undermine him could discourage foreign investors and portray Nigeria as hostile to local enterprise.
“Aliko Dangote is an institution in Nigeria’s economic parlance, and how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us,” he said. “If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he would probably be worth $70 to $80 billion by now, but he chose to invest in his country. We owe it to future generations to jealously protect and promote him.”
His remarks come amid rising tensions between PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery over alleged labour-related issues a situation that has sparked nationwide concern about industrial harmony in the oil and gas sector.
The Vice President urged both labour unions and private sector players to put national interest above organisational disputes. “I wish to call for more caution from both labour and the organised private sector in defining and improving the relationship between labour and industry,” he said. “Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN. Nigeria is greater than each and every one of us.”
Shettima also tasked the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) to take an active role in mediating the dispute and to recommend measures that safeguard major industries while ensuring fair labour practices.
“The government is hereby tasking the NESG to take more than a passing interest in the matter. We expect recommendations from the NESG in addressing this issue, even as the government takes steps to protect big industry,” he noted.
Reiterating that his stance was non-partisan, Shettima emphasized the need for unity and collaboration to protect Nigeria’s economic future. “I’m not coming to you as partisan. I’m coming in search of solutions to our national challenges. The fortunes of our economy depend on how we protect those who invest in it,” he added.
