The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a stern warning to both government and industry stakeholders against any form of sabotage or policy neglect that could undermine private refinery operations in the country, saying such actions could provoke a massive nationwide protest.
The students’ body made this declaration during a simultaneous rally held in Abuja, Asaba, and Lagos, aimed at drawing national attention to the worsening challenges facing Nigeria’s domestic refining industry and urging stronger policy commitment to industrial stability and local fuel production.
Speaking at the event, the NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, said the rally was a “national warning action” to demand that government policies focus on boosting refining capacity rather than maintaining dependence on imported petroleum products.
“This is only a warning action, but let it be known that any further attempt to frustrate or neglect policies necessary for the survival of private refineries will lead to total occupation of federal highways across all 36 states and the FCT by Nigerian students,” Oladoja warned.
He lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast crude oil reserves, the country remains heavily reliant on imported refined petroleum products, a situation he said has worsened inflation, constrained job creation, and weakened industrial capacity.
“Nigeria, blessed with abundant crude oil, remains a paradoxical importer of refined petroleum products. Our refineries have suffered from years of mismanagement and neglect, resulting in overdependence on imported fuel,” he stated.
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Oladoja added that in the face of current economic challenges, revitalising and protecting the local refining sector had become an urgent national priority. He warned that neglecting it could mirror the fate of Nigeria’s once-thriving textile industry, which collapsed due to lack of government protection and consistent policy direction.
“The experience of the textile industry serves as a reminder of what can happen when local industries are not supported. If the same pattern repeats in the petroleum sector, the country could lose another opportunity for industrial recovery,” he cautioned.
He called on the Federal Government and relevant agencies to guarantee equitable access to crude oil for both public and private refineries and ensure a fair operational environment that encourages investment and sustainability.
“Freedom of association must be respected, and industrial relations should be conducted in line with the law. Stakeholders need to work together to maintain productivity and investor confidence,” Oladoja noted.
The NANS leader stressed the importance of transparent policies that prioritise crude allocation to local refineries, fair pricing mechanisms for domestic processors, and reduction of fuel import dependency — all while safeguarding private sector investments and ensuring industrial peace.
“The Nigerian students’ movement stands for policies that strengthen national growth and protect the country’s economic stability. We will continue to engage lawfully to ensure that these goals are achieved,” Oladoja affirmed.
He further emphasised that Nigerian students would not remain silent in the face of policies that threaten job creation or economic progress, insisting that protecting local refineries was not only an industrial concern but a patriotic responsibility to secure the nation’s future.
