Business
FERA Hit Hard at PENGASSAN Over Fraudulent Claims Against Dangote Refinery
…as independent investigation exonerates Dangote Refinery
The Fair Employment Rights Activists (FERA) has blasted the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over what it described as “fraudulent, mischievous and hypocritical” claims against the $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
PENGASSAN had accused the refinery of terminating the jobs of more than 800 Nigerian workers and replacing them with 2,000 undocumented Indians.
But in a statement on Saturday signed by its president, Comrade Ebikeme Adigio, FERA said its independent investigation found no evidence to support the union’s allegations.
“Our fact-finding mission revealed that expatriates at Dangote Refinery are fully documented, properly accredited and engaged for specialised roles,” Adigio said.
“There is no single proof that Nigerian workers were unlawfully replaced. On the contrary, the refinery has directly and indirectly created over one million jobs in less than a year. That is the truth PENGASSAN does not want Nigerians to hear.”
The activist group went further, accusing some union leaders of lacking both the moral and legal right to challenge the operations of an investment that, according to FERA, is delivering where the union failed.
“Osifo and Okugbawa represent the same structure that supervised the waste of over $4 billion on failed Turn Around Maintenance projects at Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna refineries,” Adigio declared.
“For decades, these men and their colleagues stood by while our refineries rotted away, workers were retrenched, and Nigeria bled under subsidy fraud. Now they rise to play saints? It is the height of hypocrisy. As Fela once sang, animals want to teach us human rights.”
The group also alleged that some of union leaders personally benefited from the subsidy era and patronage appointments.
“We all know that Festus Osifo’s children and cronies were comfortably placed in the NNPCL under Mele Kyari’s reign, feeding fat from subsidy fraud, while young Nigerians were forced into menial jobs in Ghana and Togo. Today, the same people want to lecture a refinery that is creating jobs and dismantling their corrupt pipeline of patronage,” Adigio declared.
FERA argued that the real motive behind PENGASSAN’s attacks was to blackmail the Dangote Refinery and protect vested interests.
“What PENGASSAN failed to tell Nigerians is that their agitation is not about the welfare of workers but about losing control over a sector that they had weaponised for decades. Dangote Refinery is not bound to adopt the union’s corrupt style of business-as-usual, and that is what is making them restless,” the group stated.
“They are not fighting for workers. They are fighting for a corrupt system that Dangote Refinery has disrupted. The union collects 3% of every oil worker’s salary in Nigeria, yet has not built one functional refinery, not even a small modular plant. If they truly cared about employment, why not buy the moribund Port Harcourt refinery and prove they can manage it?”
On the contrary, FERA said Dangote Refinery has proven its commitment to workers and to Nigeria’s economy. It cited the rollout of 8,000 compressed natural gas buses, which it said instantly generated 16,000 jobs in a single day, as well as its broader impact across supply chains.
“The Dangote Refinery should be celebrated, not vilified. It is fighting for the poor, ensuring we are no longer held hostage by subsidy cartels, and creating jobs at a scale Nigeria has never witnessed. PENGASSAN’s lies will not erase these facts,” Adigio said.
The group also rejected the union’s threat to cut gas and crude supply to the refinery, describing it as “nothing short of economic sabotage.”
“It is reckless for a union that squandered decades of goodwill to now threaten to strangle a national asset. This is not unionism; it is sabotage. Nigerians will not allow PENGASSAN to destroy what they never built,” the statement added.
FERA urged government and regulators to resist PENGASSAN’s “blackmail and lies” and protect the refinery from vested interests.
“The truth is simple: PENGASSAN is angry because the party is over. Thanks to President Bola Tinubu, that corrupt regime has ended,” the statement added.
“If PENGASSAN is genuinely concerned about workers’ welfare, let them buy up the moribund Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, make them work, and employ as many Nigerians as they want. Until then, they should stop blackmailing an investor who is doing what government and unions failed to do for decades.”
Business
CRMI Urges Strategic Repositioning After UAE’s OPEC Exit
The Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI) has issued a Policy Advisory in response to the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) decision to exit the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), effective May 1, 2026.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Registrar /CEO
Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Mr Victor Olannye.
According to him “ This landmark development signals a significant shift in global oil governance, potentially leading to increased market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and energy supply chain disruptions. CRMI advises corporate members, public sector institutions, financial institutions, and individual risk professionals to reassess their risk management strategies and strengthen institutional resilience.”
Mr Olannye, Ph.D., highlighted Key Risks to include
Structural breakdown of OPEC’s cohesion Oil price volatility
Geopolitical instability
Energy supply chain disruptions Macroeconomic uncertainty
Contagion risk of other member states exiting OPEC
Implications for Nigeria according to the Registrar include Increased production flexibility, potential market share expansion, and enhanced revenue prospects.
On Risks: Exposure to price volatility, reduced supply management protection, heightened competition, and fiscal instability.
He highlighted Policy Directives to Corporate Organizations to ensure they Implement robust risk management frameworks, adopt dynamic hedging strategies, and diversify business portfolios while calling on Financial Institutions and Investors to Reassess energy-related risks, strengthen portfolio diversification, and enhance risk disclosure
He called on Public Sector and Policymakers to Strengthen fiscal buffers, accelerate economic diversification, and promote renewable energy transition
For Individual Risk Professionals, the CRMI is advocating Upskill in geopolitical risk analysis and energy economics, develop expertise in scenario planning and predictive analytics.
CRMI urged stakeholders to proactively reposition their strategies to navigate this evolving geo- economic environment.
“ The Institute anticipates possible scenarios, including fragmentation of global oil governance structures, increased market-driven oil pricing mechanisms, and acceleration of global energy transition initiatives” he added
Business
UNLEASH 2026: Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich Puts African Enterprise on Global Agenda
Nigerian entrepreneur, business leader, and philanthropist Dr. Elizabeth Jack-Rich, Founder and CEO of Elin Group Limited, commanded global attention at the inaugural UNLEASH Global Business Conference 2026, held Friday at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC.
Widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most respected businesswomen and philanthropists, Dr. Jack-Rich featured as both a key panelist and a keynote speaker — further cementing her status as one of Africa’s most influential voices on the global stage.
She joined a high-level Fireside Chat titled _“Leadership in the Age of Disruption: Identity, Power, & Impact,”_ alongside Denise Fall, Senior Leader in Immunology at Johnson & Johnson, and Tolani Alli, Creative Campaign Director at the World Bank. The session brought together accomplished women leaders to examine how identity, power dynamics, and purposeful leadership intersect in today’s volatile global business environment.
Described as insightful, energizing, and highly relevant, the conversation resonated strongly with young professionals and emerging leaders navigating volatility, sustainability challenges, and opportunities across emerging markets.
Beyond the Fireside Chat, Dr. Jack-Rich delivered a powerful keynote address that anchored key discussions on building resilient enterprises and leading with impact amid disruption.
Dr. Jack-Rich leads Elin Group Limited, a diversified conglomerate with strategic interests spanning:
– Real Estate Development
– Power Generation and Gas Utilization
– Agriculture
– Mining
– Maritime and Aviation — notably through Elin Air, where she stands out as one of the few female operators of private jet charter services in Nigeria
– *Logistics and Infrastructure*
Beyond her corporate achievements, she is the driving force behind the Elizabeth Jack-Rich Aid Foundation (EJRAID), through which she has executed numerous high-impact philanthropic initiatives focused on poverty alleviation, women and youth empowerment, education, and community development across Nigeria.
Themed _“Building For What’s Next,”_ UNLEASH 2026 was a one-day strategic summit co-hosted by three prominent student organizations at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: the Africa Business Club, Women in Business Graduate Club, and Net Impact Club. The conference drew MBA students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and policymakers for robust dialogue on leadership, innovation, sustainability, and strategies for thriving in an era of global disruption.
Her participation was widely applauded as a proud moment for Nigerian and African representation in global leadership conversations, with many attendees citing her journey as a blueprint for purpose-driven enterprise and impact.
Business
Dangote Sugar Seeks To Raise ₦500bn Capital Through Rights Issue
Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc has announced plans to raise up to N500 billion through a Rights Issue.
The company said shareholders have approved the plan to raise capital through the issuance of ordinary shares.
The development was disclosed in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Temitope Hassan, following the company’s 20th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.
Subject to regulatory approval, the move is part of efforts to strengthen its capital base and support future growth.
“The Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorised to raise capital of up to N500 billion by way of Rights Issue through the issuance of ordinary shares, on such terms and conditions and at such time as the Directors may deem fit.”
The Rights Issue may be underwritten, depending on terms approved by the Board and regulatory authorities, the company said, noting that any shares not taken up by existing shareholders may be offered to other interested investors.
The company stated that the initiative is aimed at strengthening its financial capacity to support long-term growth objectives.
The capital raise move comes as Dangote Sugar’s financial performance reflects both growth and improvement.
In its 2025 audited results, revenue increased by 24.56% to N829.2 billion, driven largely by strong demand for 50kg sugar, which accounted for N807 billion of total revenue.
Retail sugar sales contributed N17.7 billion, while molasses and freight income added N4.02 billion and N66.4 million, respectively.
Cost of sales rose by 11.35% to N706.5 billion, largely due to raw material costs of N573.3 billion, resulting in a gross profit of N122.6 billion.
The company reported a pre-tax loss of N72.2 billion, an improvement from the N270.8 billion loss recorded in 2024.
Regional sales showed Lagos accounting for 55.82%, followed by the North at 35.35%, the West at 6.45%, and the East at 2.38%.
Dangote Sugar said its share capital will be increased to accommodate the new shares to be issued under the Rights Issue.
The Board has been authorised to allot shares and manage fractional holdings in line with regulatory requirements.
“Any unallotted shares after the exercise will be cancelled as permitted by law”, the notice added, stating that the capital raise ranks among the largest Rights Issues in Nigeria’s corporate history.
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