society
Dangote Refinery: Economic Rights Activists Condemn NUPENG, NLC over Threats of Nationwide Strike to Cripple Economic Life
Dangote Refinery: Economic Rights Activists Condemn NUPENG, NLC over Threats of Nationwide Strike to Cripple Economic Life
The Economic Rights Activists (ERA) have strongly condemned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), and other affiliated unions for their planned nationwide strike, which threatens to disrupt fuel distribution and cripple Nigeria’s economic life.
During a press conference in Abuja, ERA’s Executive Director, Dr. Josiah Inuwa, described the proposed industrial action as a “reckless and unpatriotic” assault on the Nigerian people, warning that it would inflict severe hardship on millions while potentially serving the interests of economic saboteurs.
The unions’ grievances stem from alleged anti-union practices at the Dangote Refinery and accusations of monopolistic control in the downstream petroleum sector.
Dr. Inuwa, however, argued that the strike would primarily harm ordinary citizens—small business owners, transport operators, and families—rather than corporate giants.
“The okada rider in Enugu, the pepper seller in Osun, the teacher in Kaduna, and the mechanic in Port Harcourt will bear the brunt,” he stated. “Transport fares will skyrocket, food prices will soar, hospitals will lose power, and small businesses will collapse. This is not a fight for justice—it is a direct attack on the Nigerian people.”
The ERA highlighted the devastating impact of past oil sector strikes, such as the 2012 fuel subsidy protests and the 2020 industrial actions, which cost the economy billions of naira daily and deepened recessionary pressures.
The group warned that the proposed strike could trigger similar losses, threatening Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms.
Dr. Inuwa raised concerns about the timing of the strike, noting its alignment with efforts by vested interests to undermine Nigeria’s push for energy self-sufficiency through the Dangote Refinery, a critical step toward ending decades of reliance on imported fuel.
“Whether knowingly or not, NLC, NUPENG, and PETROAN risk becoming pawns of cartels that profit from the status quo,” he said, accusing these groups of orchestrating sabotage to derail the refinery’s success.
The ERA also accused union leaders of hypocrisy, pointing to the disconnect between their public rhetoric and private privileges.
“Many of these leaders drive in convoys while the masses trek,” Dr. Inuwa remarked. “They negotiate secret deals behind closed doors while claiming to fight for justice in public squares.”
He criticized the unions for bypassing civilized dispute resolution mechanisms like arbitration and dialogue, instead resorting to “blackmail” that holds the nation’s fuel supply hostage. “Why choose to strangle a fragile economy at its jugular?” he questioned. “This approach is reckless and unacceptable.”
In response, the ERA demanded that NLC, NUPENG, PETROAN, and other unions immediately suspend the strike and return to the negotiation table to resolve grievances through dialogue.
They urged President Tinubu, the Ministry of Labour, and relevant agencies to stand firm against union pressure while facilitating constructive engagement.
The group also called on Dangote Refinery to transparently address worker concerns regarding unionization and labor conditions, balancing its role as a strategic national asset with fair labor practices.
Additionally, the ERA urged the National Industrial Court and the Department of State Services (DSS) to establish mechanisms to deter irresponsible strike threats that weaponize critical sectors like oil and gas.
They appealed to the National Assembly to summon all parties involved to ensure transparency and investigate potential sabotage by cartels profiting from Nigeria’s fuel import dependency.
Addressing Nigerians directly, Dr. Inuwa called for vigilance against manipulation by “empty rhetoric,” emphasizing that the strike threat is not a noble struggle but a calculated move for control and monopoly.
“This is not about workers’ rights—it is about sabotage,” he warned. Praising President Tinubu’s economic reforms as deliberate steps toward recovery, he cautioned that such progress is too fragile to withstand another disruption.
Security: Opinion Poll Scores Matawalle Most Outstanding Minister
In a recent nationwide opinion poll assessing the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet members, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, emerged as the most performing minister in security. The survey sampled views across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting growing public confidence in his ability to drive strategies that directly confront the country’s complex security challenges. Since assuming office in 2023, Matawalle has steadily carved out a reputation as one of the administration’s most active voices on national defence. Working closely with the Minister of Defence, the service chiefs, and other security stakeholders, he has been instrumental in strengthening collaboration among the armed forces and initiating reforms targeted at insurgency, banditry, and cross-border crimes.
The poll, which was widely discussed across media and policy circles, shows that Nigerians are paying close attention to how security matters are being handled under Tinubu’s leadership. Respondents in the North West and North Central regions areas most affected by banditry and insurgency credited Matawalle’s office with championing military offensives, improving intelligence sharing, and taking a hands on approach through visits to crisis zones. Many see his active presence and swift interventions as a departure from past practices where government officials often kept their distance from affected communities.
Analysts note that the poll’s outcome speaks not only to Matawalle’s rising profile within Tinubu’s cabinet but also to a broader demand by Nigerians for results driven governance. Security remains one of the administration’s toughest challenges, and the minister’s recognition suggests that citizens are beginning to identify clear efforts and results in that direction. Political observers believe this rating could further boost the administration’s credibility as it works to reassure Nigerians that reforms in the defence sector are yielding impact.
Still, experts caution that much work remains to be done. Nigeria’s security crisis is deeply layered, with terrorism, banditry, oil theft, and urban crime continuing to stretch the country’s security architecture. While military operations have recorded notable successes, addressing the underlying socio economic causes of insecurity will require more holistic strategies, ranging from poverty reduction and education to stronger governance at the state and local levels.
Nevertheless, Matawalle’s emergence as the most performing minister in security underscores a significant shift in how Nigerians perceive leadership and accountability. It signals that citizens are not only monitoring the government’s promises but are also willing to recognize and reward performance where it is evident. As President Tinubu’s administration advances, the spotlight on ministers like Matawalle reflects a growing expectation that public service must translate into visible impact. For now, his recognition by the public stands as both an endorsement of progress and a reminder that the nation’s security demands continuous, determined, and innovative leadership.
Buratai Pays Tribute to Elder Statesman Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji in Sokoto
Sokoto — Former Chief of Army Staff and Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), paid a courtesy visit to elder statesman Alhaji Abubakar during his trip to Sokoto on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
The visit followed Gen. Buratai’s participation at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where he joined dignitaries to celebrate the conferment of an honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree on Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (Rtd), CFR, also a former Chief of Army Staff.
Speaking on the visit, Buratai described it as both a personal and historic reunion with the respected elder statesman, with whom he has had long-standing ties dating back to his early years as a young officer.
“My relationship with Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji goes as far back as 1992, when I was a captain in the Nigerian Army. His wisdom, guidance, and patriotic service to Nigeria remain exemplary,” Buratai said.
Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji is widely recognized as a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s socio-economic and political development. Over the years, he has served the nation in several capacities, including:
Diplomatic Service: As Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, he promoted trade, investment, and cultural ties between the two nations.
Civil Service Leadership: He held senior positions in the Nigerian civil service, contributing to governance reforms and economic growth.
Economic Advisory: As an economic strategist, he offered guidance on policies addressing Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
Community Development: He spearheaded initiatives in education, healthcare, and empowerment, particularly for marginalized groups.
Expatriate Advocacy: In the UK, he championed the rights and welfare of Nigerians abroad, enhancing Nigeria’s global image.
Buratai’s visit featured warm exchanges and reflections on national unity, service, and leadership. Observers described the meeting as a symbolic bridging of generations — a retired general who served Nigeria in both uniform and diplomacy reconnecting with a statesman who shaped the nation’s civil, economic, and diplomatic path.
The Sokoto trip was therefore not only about honoring a fellow general but also about celebrating enduring bonds of mentorship, patriotism, and national service.
AcadPass™ Appoints Professor Mondy Selle Gold as National Academic Adviser
AcadPass™, Africa’s leading digital ecosystem for students, has announced the appointment of Professor Mondy Selle Gold as its National Academic Adviser. This appointment underscores the platform’s commitment to bridging innovation with academic excellence and fostering mentorship for young people across the continent.
Prof. Gold is a distinguished academician, respected thinker, and celebrated teacher whose career has been marked by decades of impactful scholarship and leadership. Known for his unique ability to connect with students, he has dedicated his life to mentoring young people around the world, offering them not only academic guidance but also hope, confidence, and a fatherly presence that has transformed countless lives. He teaches at the Colorado State University, CSU, in the United States of America.
In recognition of his outstanding teaching and mentorship, CSU Global, a leading U.S.-based university, recently honoured Prof. Gold with the prestigious Faculty Spotlight Award. The award highlights his exceptional commitment to education, his remarkable student evaluations, and the lasting positive impact he has had on learners across diverse backgrounds. This international recognition further affirms his reputation as a world-class educator and role model.
AcadPass is an innovative homegrown digital platform with its unique ecosystem for Nigerian students and tertiary institutions built by Nigerians to solve a Nigerian problem and scaled to be exported to Africa and beyond.
In his new role as National Academic Adviser to AcadPass™, Prof. Gold will:
Serve as the academic face of AcadPass™, representing the platform in engagements with institutions and stakeholders.
Provide strategic guidance to strengthen AcadPass™’s integration with academic communities nationwide.
Mentor and inspire students to embrace AcadPass™ as a tool for academic success, personal growth, and global competitiveness.
Champion initiatives that align with AcadPass™’s mission of empowering students with digital identity, financial inclusion, healthcare access, and education support.
Speaking on the appointment, Mr. Hope Ibinabobo, Head of Corporate Communications of Creestgate Limited, (owners of AcadPass™), said:
> “We are honoured and deeply delighted to welcome Prof. Mondy Selle Gold to the AcadPass™ family. His lifelong dedication to education and youth mentorship mirrors our own mission of empowering students across Africa. With his guidance, we are confident that AcadPass™ will continue to grow as a transformative force for academic excellence, innovation, and student empowerment.”
Prof. Gold expressed his excitement at joining AcadPass™, stating:
> “AcadPass™ represents the future of student empowerment, and I am thrilled to be part of a vision that not only meets the academic needs of young people but also prepares them for life. Together, we will shape a generation of confident, capable, and globally competitive students.”
AcadPass™ believes that Prof. Gold’s wealth of experience, international recognition, and inspirational leadership will accelerate the platform’s mission of redefining education access and student engagement in Africa and beyond.
About AcadPass™
AcadPass™ is an all-in-one digital ecosystem designed to empower students, enhance campus security, and simplify academic and personal management. The platform integrates tools and services that cater to students’ academic, financial, health, and personal needs while providing seamless access control and identity verification (www.acadpass.com.ng) owned by Creestgate Limited, AcadPass™ is building Africa’s largest student-focused ecosystem, connecting students, schools, and service providers in a unified digital space.
By; Hope Ibinabo,
Head of Media,
Creestgate limited,
Email: [email protected]
-
society6 months agoRamadan Relief: Matawalle Distributes Over ₦1 Billion to Support 2.5 Million Zamfara Residents
-
Politics2 months agoNigeria Is Not His Estate: Wike’s 2,000‑Hectare Scandal Must Shake Us Awake
-
society5 months agoBroken Promises and Broken Backs: The ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Law and the Betrayal of Nigerian Workers
-
society4 months agoOGUN INVESTS OVER ₦2.25 BILLION TO BOOST AQUACULTURE