The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the success of the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery, describing it as a critical national asset that must be protected and supported.

Vice President Kashim Shettima made this known on Monday during the opening session of the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja. His remarks were echoed by the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who stressed the refinery’s strategic role in achieving energy security and economic stability.

Reacting to last week’s industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Shettima urged restraint from labour unions and emphasised the need for patriotism in handling disputes that could threaten national interests.

He said, “Aliko Dangote is not just an individual; he’s an institution and a leading light in Nigeria’s economic parliament. How we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders will judge us. If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he might be worth $70 to $80 billion today, but he chose to invest in his country. We owe it to future generations to protect and promote this national asset.”

The Vice President cautioned against actions capable of undermining the country’s economic progress, saying, “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.”

He called for greater collaboration between organised labour and the private sector to sustain the nation’s economic momentum and ensure the long-term success of strategic investments like the Dangote Refinery.