Niger Delta Youths Back Dangote Refinery, Warn Against Attempts to Cripple Operations
By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
The Niger Delta Youth Council of Nigeria (NDYCN) has declared its support for the Dangote Refinery amid the ongoing standoff involving the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN).
In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Ufuoma Victor Erharhine, the group described the multi-billion-dollar refinery as “one of the most transformative investments in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.”
Erharhine noted that the facility represents a turning point in Nigeria’s economic future and must not be undermined by vested interests. He stressed that the refinery has already created thousands of direct and indirect jobs, particularly for Niger Delta youths, while promising to save the nation billions of dollars in foreign exchange by reducing dependence on fuel importation.
“Any attempt to undermine the Dangote Refinery is an attempt to undermine Nigeria’s economic independence. The youths of the Niger Delta will not fold their arms and watch,” he declared.
According to him, the Niger Delta—which has for decades borne the brunt of oil exploration with minimal developmental return—views the refinery as a beacon of hope for energy availability, industrialization, and regional growth.
While acknowledging the right of unions to protect their members’ interests, NDYCN cautioned NUPENG and DAPPMAN against actions that could destabilize the refinery or frustrate its operations.
“We call on NUPENG and DAPPMAN to embrace dialogue, patriotism, and responsibility. The time has come to put Nigeria first,” Erharhine said.
The group further urged the Federal Government to intervene swiftly in the dispute and provide policy protection for the refinery. It called on authorities to shield the project from sabotage, anti-competitive practices, and monopoly tendencies.
Erharhine emphasized that the refinery is not merely a private business venture but a strategic national asset tied to Nigeria’s economic stability and the future of oil-bearing communities.
He concluded by reiterating NDYCN’s readiness to mobilize youths in defense of the facility if necessary, describing it as “a symbol of hope, a Nigerian initiative that must be nurtured, not strangled.“
