The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has expressed concern over the looming crisis in Nigeria’s oil sector as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), in alliance with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), threatens to embark on strike following a dispute with Dangote Refinery regarding union membership.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 9th September, 2025, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC cautioned the unions against taking actions that could destabilize the nation’s fragile economy. The organisation urged them to key into Dangote Refinery’s vision of reducing hardship for Nigerians through the availability of affordable fuel.
MURIC noted that Dangote Refinery has already provided tangible relief by lowering the pump price of petrol from ₦1,300 per litre after subsidy removal to between ₦860 and ₦900. It argued that disrupting the refinery’s operations at this point would derail recent economic gains and plunge the country back into fuel scarcity.
The statement reads in part:
“This is not the right time for a strike. Nigeria is just beginning to recover from economic hardship, and the emergence of a local private refinery has brought hope to millions. A strike now would undermine progress and return us to the dark days of fuel shortages.
MURIC upholds the principle of utilitarianism the greatest happiness for the greatest number. We therefore appeal to the unions to align with Dangote’s vision of easing the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. This can be achieved while still complying with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.”
The organisation further appealed to the Federal Government to shield Dangote Refinery from what it described as “blackmail tactics” by union leaders, warning that aggressive unionism often benefits only a privileged few while leaving the masses at the receiving end.
MURIC also cautioned that the posture of NUPENG and PENGASSAN could discourage much-needed foreign investment at a time when countries such as Brazil, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, and the UK have indicated strong interest in Nigeria’s energy sector.
While the unions accuse Dangote Refinery of monopoly, MURIC maintained that what Nigerians see is economic emancipation and reduced fuel prices. It therefore urged traditional rulers, opinion leaders, and stakeholders to prevail on NUPENG and PENGASSAN to reconsider their planned strike in the interest of the nation.
