NANS Threatens To Block Federal Roads If Dangote Refinery Is Sabotaged

NANS Vows to Block Federal Roads Over Threats to Dangote Refinery

In a bold and impassioned move, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stern warning to oil sector stakeholders and trade unions, declaring its readiness to block federal roads nationwide if any sabotage is directed at the Dangote Refinery.

This declaration comes amid rising tensions between the refinery and key players in the petroleum industry, including the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

NANS, through statements from its leadership, has positioned the Dangote Refinery as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic revival and energy independence.

The student body emphasized that the refinery’s 650,000 barrels-per-day capacity offers a historic opportunity to meet domestic fuel demand, reduce reliance on imports, and stabilize the nation’s energy supply.

According to Comrade Olushola Oladoja, President of NANS, any attempt to obstruct the refinery’s operations would be viewed as an attack on the collective future of Nigerian youth and the broader populace.

The association has expressed deep concern over reports of industrial actions and threats allegedly orchestrated by oil cartels and union interests. These groups are accused of resisting the refinery’s growing influence in the fuel supply chain, fearing it could dismantle the long-standing importation regime that has enriched a few at the expense of national progress.

NANS cited intelligence reports suggesting plans to sabotage Dangote’s newly acquired Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks, describing such acts as economic terrorism and a direct assault on Nigeria’s energy future.

In response, NANS staged peaceful protests across major cities, including Abuja and Ibadan, rallying thousands of students under the banner “Stop The Sabotage.” Placards, chants, and position papers submitted to state authorities underscored the students’ demand for immediate government intervention.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the alleged sabotage and protect the refinery as a national asset. The students warned that if the threats persist, they would mobilize to block federal roads, disrupting traffic and drawing national attention to their cause.

Energy expert Kelvin Emmanuel has also weighed in, describing any disruption to the refinery’s operations as a threat to national security. He cited provisions in the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Acts, which classify energy supply as an essential service. Emmanuel argued that unions must follow due legal process before initiating strikes or picketing, and condemned NUPENG’s alleged blockade of the refinery’s entrance as unlawful and dangerous.

NANS has reiterated its respect for workers’ rights to unionize but insists that such rights must not be weaponized to destabilize critical infrastructure.

The association urged all Nigerians to view the refinery not merely as a private enterprise but as a symbol of national resilience, innovation, and opportunity.

It pledged to defend the refinery against any form of sabotage, warning that the consequences of fuel scarcity and economic instability would be borne by millions of ordinary citizens.