NANS urges the Federal Government to protect Dangote Refinery from alleged sabotage amid growing influence in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a strong appeal to the Federal Government to take immediate and concrete steps to protect the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Refinery from alleged sabotage attempts. According to NANS, powerful interests unsettled by the refinery’s growing influence in Nigeria’s fuel supply chain may be plotting to undermine its operations.
Speaking through its leadership, NANS emphasized that the Dangote Refinery is not just a private business venture but a national economic asset with the potential to reshape Nigeria’s energy sector. The student body noted that the refinery, which is expected to drastically reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products, represents a major step toward energy self-sufficiency and national security.
Refinery as a National Asset
NANS argued that protecting the Dangote Refinery should be a top priority for the government, given its strategic importance. By producing refined petroleum products locally, the refinery is projected to save Nigeria billions of naira in foreign exchange, stabilize fuel prices, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. These benefits, the group warned, could be jeopardized if sabotage attempts go unchecked.
Call for Heightened Security and Oversight
The student association called on the Federal Government, security agencies, and regulatory bodies to increase their oversight of the facility and its supply chain. This includes strengthening security measures, enhancing intelligence gathering, and ensuring that all stakeholders operate transparently and lawfully. NANS also encouraged Nigerians to support local industries that reduce the nation’s dependence on imports.
“Nigerians should see the Dangote Refinery as a strategic national project,” the statement read. “We must not allow any group or vested interest to sabotage what is poised to transform our petroleum sector and strengthen our economy.”
A Turning Point for Nigeria’s Fuel Supply Chain
Industry experts have consistently pointed to the Dangote Refinery as a game changer for Nigeria’s petroleum sector. Once fully operational, it is expected to refine up to 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the largest refineries in Africa. This capacity could enable Nigeria to transition from a net importer of refined fuel to a net exporter, improving the country’s balance of trade and boosting revenue generation.
NANS also stressed that the refinery’s success will enhance Nigeria’s global reputation as an investment-friendly destination, potentially attracting more large-scale infrastructure projects. Protecting the facility, therefore, aligns with the government’s goals of economic diversification and industrial growth.
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Conclusion
The National Association of Nigerian Students urged all stakeholders — from policymakers to security operatives and civil society — to work together to shield the Dangote Refinery from threats. The student body maintained that safeguarding the project is not only about protecting a single business but about ensuring Nigeria’s long-term energy security, economic independence, and industrial future.
