NANS Threatens Nationwide Protest Over Alleged Sabotage of Dangote Refinery

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to mobilise nationwide protests and occupy major highways if attempts to frustrate the operations of private refineries, particularly the Dangote Refinery, are not stopped.

The students’ body issued the warning during a national protest held simultaneously in Abuja, Asaba, and Lagos, where it accused certain vested interests of deliberately undermining Nigeria’s refining independence.

Speaking during the protest, NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, said the association would not remain silent while those he described as “economic saboteurs” continue to sabotage national progress.

“If this coordinated attempt to frustrate private refineries continues, Nigerian students will not hesitate to occupy all federal highways. We shall defend the survival of the Nigerian economy and the dignity of our nation,” Oladoja declared.

The NANS president specifically criticised the alleged pressure by oil unions, including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), to force private refinery workers into union membership.

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He described such moves as unconstitutional and counterproductive, warning that it could discourage private investment in the sector.

“This is coercion and a direct violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association,” Oladoja said.

He urged the Federal Government to intervene and prevent what he termed “industrial blackmail” against operators of private refineries.

NANS further alleged that some international oil companies, product importers, and local unions were conspiring to maintain Nigeria’s dependency on imported fuel by deliberately frustrating local refining efforts.

The association likened the current situation to the collapse of the nation’s textile industry, which it said was destroyed by similar acts of sabotage and government inaction.

“We have seen this pattern before — the textile industry was crippled by internal sabotage and foreign manipulation. We cannot allow that to happen again with our refining industry,” the students’ body warned.

NANS Lists Five Key Demands

During the protest, NANS presented a five-point demand to the Federal Government aimed at safeguarding private investments and promoting Nigeria’s energy independence.

The demands include:

Priority crude oil supply to Nigerian refineries;

An end to the undervaluation of crude sold to foreign refineries;

De-emphasis on fuel importation in favour of locally refined products;

• Protection of private investments and workers’ rights;

An end to union harassment and industrial blackmail.

The students said these measures were crucial to ensuring the success of indigenous refineries like Dangote’s and achieving energy self-sufficiency for the country.

‘We Will Not Be Silent’ — NANS Vows

Comrade Oladoja reaffirmed that Nigerian students remain committed to defending the nation’s economic future, stressing that NANS would intensify its campaign if the Federal Government fails to act swiftly.

“NANS will not sit idle while powerful groups hold the nation hostage. If the government fails to protect the interests of Nigerians, we will take our protests to every major highway and ensure our voices are heard,” he warned.

He concluded by calling on President Bola Tinubu to prioritise local refining, describing it as a “national security issue” vital to Nigeria’s economic independence.

The protests, which drew large crowds of students across multiple states, ended peacefully, but NANS vowed to resume demonstrations nationwide if the government fails to meet its demands in the coming weeks.