VP Shettima Warns PENGASSAN: “Aliko Dangote Is an Institution How We Treat Him Shapes How Others Judge Us”

 

Vice President Kashim Shettima has cautioned the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to tread carefully in their dealings with Dangote Refinery, stressing that their actions will influence how foreign investors view Nigeria’s business landscape.

Shettima delivered the message during the opening of the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #31) in Abuja. He described Aliko Dangote not merely as a businessman, but as a national institution whose reputation requires protection and respect.

“Aliko Dangote is not an individual. He is a leading light in Nigeria’s economic firmament, and how we treat this gentleman will determine how outsiders judge us,” Shettima said.

He reminded Nigerians that Dangote chose to make massive investments in Nigeria, rather than foreign markets. “If he had invested $10 billion in Microsoft, Amazon, or Google, he might have been worth $78 billion today. But he chose to invest in this country. We owe it to future generations to promote, protect, preserve, and project the interests of this great Nigerian.”

The VP’s remarks come amid tension between PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery following the termination of 800 Nigerian workers, who were reportedly replaced by Indian expatriates. PENGASSAN insisted on the right of its members to unionize at the refinery, a demand that Dangote Group opposed — leading to industrial action and heightened scrutiny.

Shettima’s appeal is rooted in the understanding that Dangote’s enterprises have become intertwined with Nigeria’s global image. He argued that how the government and labor bodies interact with the Dangote empire reflects on the broader business environment.

In closing, Shettima urged all stakeholders unions, corporations, and public officials to act with caution and foresight. He emphasized that respectful, fair treatment of national assets such as Dangote is not just a moral imperative, but a strategic necessity for Nigeria’s credibility on the world stage.