The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups allegedly plotting to sabotage the operations of private refineries in the country, particularly the Dangote Refinery and other emerging modular plants.
The student body cautioned that any attempt to frustrate the success of these private investments would be met with massive nationwide protests and civil resistance.
In a statement signed on Thursday by its President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, NANS expressed concern over reports of deliberate moves by “powerful cartels” within the oil sector to undermine private refineries through bureaucratic bottlenecks, regulatory delays, and artificial pricing conflicts.
We have credible information that some vested interests are working hard to ensure that Nigeria’s private refineries do not succeed,” the statement read. “These individuals want to keep the country dependent on imported fuel so they can continue to profit at the expense of ordinary Nigerians. We will resist such economic sabotage with every legal means available to us.”
Emonefe described the recent challenges faced by private refinery operators — including difficulties in crude oil supply, product evacuation, and licensing — as “signs of systemic sabotage” that could cripple national progress.
At a time when Nigeria should be celebrating self-sufficiency in refining, some enemies of progress are deliberately creating obstacles. NANS will not stand idly by while a few elites sabotage national development,” he added.
The association threatened to mobilize students across tertiary institutions for a peaceful but sustained protest if the Federal Government fails to address the concerns within a short period.
If we notice continued frustration of private refinery operations, NANS will shut down major cities in solidarity with Nigerians suffering from the high cost of fuel and unemployment,” the group warned.
NANS urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that all private refineries are given the necessary support to operate optimally, noting that successful local refining would reduce fuel prices, create jobs, and strengthen the naira.
The statement further called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to demonstrate transparency and patriotism in their dealings with private refinery operators.
The future of Nigeria’s energy security depends on encouraging competition, not killing it. The era of fuel import monopoly must end,” NANS declared.
The association concluded by appealing to Nigerian youths to remain vigilant, urging them to “stand on the side of progress and resist any form of economic manipulation.”
