Thirteen eminent Nigerians, including Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah; Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II; Arunma Oteh and Atedo Peterside, have urged the government and citizens to safeguard ventures that create jobs and lower costs.

In a statement yesterday, they noted with concern the recent disputes and disruptions surrounding the Dangote Refinery.

According to them, 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.

Other eminent Nigerians who signed the statement include Abubakar Mohammed, Aisha Yesufu, Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman, Dudu Manuga, Ibrahim Waziri, Barbara Etim James, Opeyemi Adamolekun, Osita Chidoka and Sen Sola Akinyede.

The statement reads: “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 per cent 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 statement noted that the strikes and threats that accompanied this transition sent the wrong signals.

It added that industrial disputes, if not carefully managed, risk discouraging both domestic and foreign investment at a time Nigeria most needed capital and innovation.

“A refinery of this scale is a national lifeline, with profound consequences for jobs, energy security, and inflation,” they said while underscoring three principles, viz: “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 licence 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.”

They also noted that concerns about monopoly or market dominance should not be settled by disruptive industrial action. “Nigeria has institutions, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), mandated to assess such claims. Where there are legitimate issues of pricing or dominance, the proper channel is through these statutory bodies, not strikes that harm ordinary Nigerians.

“Moreover, as has been noted, there is no legal monopoly here; others are free to invest in refining, provided they can mobilise the necessary resources and expertise.”

The eminent citizens commended the Federal Government, labour unions and Dangote Refinery for stepping back from confrontation and resolving this dispute through dialogue.

“We urge that this spirit of constructive engagement becomes a template for the future. At the same time, we must stress the dangers that such disruptions pose to investor confidence, economic stability, and Nigeria’s strategic interest in reducing dependency on imports.

“This crisis is not about a refinery or any other business; it is about the direction of our economy: whether we will continue in a cycle of scarcity and rent-seeking or build a future anchored in productivity, fairness, and shared prosperity. The Dangote refinery represents an audacious step forward. It should not be undermined but strengthened, as a signal to other industrialists that investing in Nigeria’s future is worthwhile,” they added.