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At 65, Nigeria finds itself in a reflective mood, and rightly so. Independence anniversaries are not just occasions for parades, gun salutes, and flag-waving. They are moments when nations pause to take stock, to ask if their institutions have matured in wisdom, steadiness, and service to the people. With this understanding, it can be said that few institutions mirror the turbulent journey of Nigeria’s democracy as vividly as the legislature.

From the fragile parliament of the First Republic through the long intermissions of military-era suspension to the sometimes noisy and fractious assemblies of the Fourth Republic, the National Assembly has embodied both the promise and the perils of the Nigerian democratic experiment. As the Red Chamber resumes under the stewardship of Senate President Godswill Akpabio the 10th Senate can fairly be described as a maturing legislature that has delivered uncommon achievements with unprecedented vigour and steadiness.

The fact speaks clearly for itself. Within two years, the Senate has passed more than 900 bills, with over 54 already signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. It has reviewed and passed over 40 executive bills, 300 bills have passed second reading, 102 bills scheduled for public hearing, showing a willingness to collaborate with the executive arm while still retaining its independence. To be clear, this pace of legislative productivity is remarkable by any standard and the best in the annals of our history. It signals an institution committed to stabilising Nigeria’s fiscal, monetary, and political environment through purposeful and constructive lawmaking and other legislative engagements.

The Senate’s imprint on education is perhaps its most people-centred achievement. The National Education Fund Act provides a sustainable financing model for tertiary institutions. The Student Loan (Access to Higher Education) Act expands access to higher education for indigent students who might otherwise have been locked out of opportunity. The Out-of-School Children Education Act confronts one of Nigeria’s most stubborn social challenges by bringing learning to the margins where poverty often shuts doors. While these measures echo earlier efforts from Nigeria’s republican past, they are sharper, more inclusive, and better designed for the demands of today’s youth.

The economic front has also been impacted by the nation-building ambitions of the 10th Senate. Sweeping tax reforms, including the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, The Joint Revenue Board Bill, The Nigeria Tax Bill and The Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, have streamlined policy, reduced evasion, triggered equity and boosted revenue without overburdening citizens. The Securities and Exchange Commission Amendment Act has strengthened investor confidence, while the Investment and Securities Bill provides clearer frameworks for investment. The Electricity Amendment Act updates energy policy for an era that must integrate renewable power and private participation.

One standout measure, the Social Security for Unemployed Graduates Act, has provided a safety net for job seekers. It reduces frustrations that often fuel restiveness among young people. To be fair, these reforms recall the liberalisation drive of the late 1990s but are better tuned to the digital age and global competition.

Security has also remained pivotal to its legislative priority. The Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Act and the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act fortify Nigeria’s defence against multifaceted threats. These laws reflect a recognition that insecurity cannot be addressed by military might alone. It requires legal frameworks, institutional coordination, and community involvement that cut off the supply chains of violence.

Regional balance, a recurrent challenge in Nigeria’s federal arrangement, has not been neglected. The South East, South South, South West, North Central and North West Development Commission Acts are designed to reduce disparities and foster inclusive growth. The National Steel Development Act seeks to revive an industry that has long symbolised Nigeria’s industrial aspirations since independence. Even patriotic memory has been legislated into revival with the National Anthem Bill, which restored ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ to the national soundscape, evoking nostalgia and reinforcing the dignity of Nigeria’s founding years.

If these domestic milestones form one side of the 10th Senate’s record, its international diplomacy forms the other. In 2023, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was elected to the Executive Committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the first Nigerian in 59 years to achieve such recognition. The IPU, founded in 1889 and comprising 179 member countries, is the premier global body for parliamentary diplomacy. Akpabio’s election restores Nigeria’s voice in shaping global discourse on issues such as climate resilience, governance, and migration. His July 2025 address at the World Conference of Speakers in Geneva signalled Nigeria’s readiness to lead debates from the perspective of the Global South. This recalls the confident internationalism of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, who in the early years of independence positioned Nigeria as a champion of African unity and non-alignment.

Without a doubt, the 10th Senate’s work is not confined to the abstract language of lawmaking. Its impact is also felt in communities across Nigeria. Each senator has allocation for constituency projects. Unlike the ghost projects of earlier assemblies, these funds have been channelled into visible impact: rural electrification in the North West, healthcare centres in the Niger Delta, agricultural hubs in the South East, and market rehabilitations nationwide. This level of grassroots visibility gives legislative output a human face.

Discerning citizens know that tone matters in politics. The 10th Senate has cultivated a more cooperative and robust culture. Senators from across parties have set aside partisanship to advance laws in the national interest. This stability is no accident. It reflects Akpabio’s deliberate leadership style, one that combines firmness with humour, using wit to diffuse tension and consensus to build momentum.

Still, it must be said that the road ahead demands vigilance. With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, electoral reform stands as the next critical frontier. Committees in both chambers of the National Assembly are working on a comprehensive new Electoral Act designed to guarantee credible, inclusive, and transparent elections. Proposals under review include diaspora voting, electronic transmission of results, and tighter campaign finance regulation.

Beyond elections, there have also been calls by civil society for a robust whistleblower protection law to fully harness whistleblowing as an anti-corruption and good governance tool. Moreover, constitution review, judicial reform, and stronger security frameworks remain pressing challenges. And even though the Petroleum Industry Act, passed into law in 2021, established a new legal, governance, administrative, and fiscal framework for Nigeria’s petroleum industry, recent turmoils in the sector indicate the 10th Senate can still revisit the Act in the national interest.

While acknowledging all that, the reality is that at 65, Nigeria has survived the turmoil of its infancy and the missteps of middle age. The 10th Senate, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, exemplifies a legislature that has matured. It has moved beyond the quarrels and gridlocks of the past to become a productive force, legislating boldly, engaging the world diplomatically, and impacting lives directly at the grassroots.

If independence anniversaries are moments for reflection, then Nigeria at 65 can take solace in the fact that its Senate is not a stumbling block but a guiding hand in the democratic journey. Under the capable and unifying leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the 10th Senate has emerged as a beacon of legislative achievement and democratic resilience. It signals not just what Nigeria has endured but what it can yet become.

It is worth reiterating that in as much as the 10th Senate has done well, as the members resume legislative duties, they should not rest on their oars. Much remains to be done if Nigeria is to be shaped into a modern, developed state.The 10th Senate should continue to play its central democratic role in that regard. To the Senator Akpabio- led 10th Senate, it is not yet Uhuru!

The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, had disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved a 100km stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to pass through Edo State.

Umahi said this during the Independence Day gala night in Benin, Edo State capital.

He said the state was not part of the original alignment for the project conceived about 47 years ago by Tinubu.

‘The president called me and said this project must pass through Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River. That is why we are here. ‘Your Excellency, the president has given you 100km of the two lanes of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,’ Umahi said.

Umahi lauded Governor Monday Okpebholo for his intervention in some critical projects.

While describing the Benin-Sapele-Warri highway as a deathtrap for motorists, Umahi applauded the quality of work done by the contractor, CBC, and directed the Federal Controller of Works in Edo to provide him with daily updates on progress at the site.

Governor Okpebholo, on his part, commended the president for including Edo in the coastal highway project and for ongoing improvements on federal roads in the state.

He described the gesture as proof of Tinubu’s love for the people of Edo and urged residents to support the president’s re-election in 2027.

Okpebholo said that his administration was committed to transforming infrastructure in the state.

REPORTS of anti-Muslim hate have risen sharply in the UK over the summer, with mosques targeted and individuals abused on the streets, new figures from a charity revealed last week.

Tell MAMA, which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, said last Friday (26) it recorded 913 cases between June and September this year. Seventeen mosques and Islamic institutions were also targeted in attacks that, the charity warned, spread fear across communities that use them.

Victims frequently reported being told to ‘leave the UK’ or ‘go back to your country’ – language that Tell MAMA linked to political debates about migration. The group said such abuse echoed the hostility directed at minorities after the Brexit vote and was fuelling mistrust and division.

According to the charity, there was a sharp spike in reports following the Unite the Kingdom rally led by Tommy Robinson in London last month.

More than 100,000 people attended the event in Parliament Square, while about 5,000 joined a counter-demonstration. In the seven days after the rally, Tell MAMA received 157 reports of anti-Muslim hate.

Iman Atta, director of the charity, described the figures as ‘shocking’ and warned that the full year’s total could exceed 6,000 cases, a record high. ‘We are looking at a serious problem of anti-Muslim hatred that is pervasive in parts of our country,’ Atta said. ‘This comes at a time when real political leadership on this matter is missing.’

Tell MAMA has been documenting anti-Muslim hate for more than a decade and said it had seen consistent year-on-year rises. It accused ministers of failing to act decisively, arguing that long-running debates over definitions of Islamophobia had distracted from the urgent need to enforce existing laws.

Earlier this year, the charity announced it would no longer apply for government funding after a dispute over the handling of a new scheme. In July, the government said money from its Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund would instead go to the British Muslim Trust, which brings together the Aziz Foundation and Randeree Charitable Trust.

The charity said that while community groups can play a role, the scale of the problem requires stronger national leadership.

‘Attacks on mosques and faith institutions send a much wider message to those who worship there – that they are not safe,’ Atta added. ‘This is toxic to community relations and to social cohesion going forward.’

Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos State, has denied making political threats after a viral video showed him vowing to punish residents who fail to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

The video, which drew widespread condemnation, showed Sego warning that a repeat of the 2023 presidential election would not be allowed in 2027 and that all Lagos residents must vote for the APC.

His comments provoked outrage, with many accusing him of attempting to intimidate more than 20 million citizens.

Several critics called for his arrest, insisting that democracy cannot be reduced to threats by union leaders. In a separate video, Sego dismissed the allegations, describing them as propaganda.

He confirmed that he was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) for questioning and was later released after hours of interrogation.

‘This is propaganda and fake rumour. The issue I was addressing has to do with our union and not politics. My enemies are behind this and looking for my downfall. You can belong to any party, and we also know the party we are supporting,’ he said.

When Farida Tanimu arrived at the family residence of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, at Kofar Ram in Bauchi metropolis, no one suspected she had come to take her own life.

She got to the house around 10 a.m., dressed in an abaya (a long gown) and hijab. Farida did not speak to anyone but kept wandering around the premises before eventually sitting at the entrance of the prime minister’s sitting room, directly opposite the main gate.

After some time, a domestic worker approached her and asked if she had come to see Hajiya Yelwa Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chairperson of the Bauchi State Orphans and Vulnerable Children Agency (BASOVCA).

Farida responded that she did not know Hajiya Yelwa and was not there to see her. The worker left her and continued his duties.

Moments later, Farida pulled out a 75cl plastic water bottle she was holding, poured its contents on her head, and set herself ablaze.

The fire quickly spread to the roof of the entrance structure, drawing the attention of people outside who thought there was a fire outbreak.

The Chief Security Officer of the residence, Inspector Abdulmajid Yakubu, said, ‘People around rushed to the house thinking it was a fire outbreak.’

‘We all rushed towards Farida with the intention of quenching the fire and saving her life. However, she ran into the family section of the house, screaming for help.

‘We followed her inside, and with the help of a mechanic, Baba Dan Baki, we fetched water from a nearby source and poured it on her.

‘Though we succeeded in putting out the flames, the burns on her body were severe, as almost her entire body was affected. Even in that condition, Farida was still alive and speaking to us.

‘We immediately rushed her to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital for treatment.

‘On admission, she received the necessary medical attention, but sadly, she could not survive the injuries and died on Sunday.

‘While on her hospital bed, I personally spoke with her. When I asked why she burnt herself, she told me it was because she was tired of this world.’

Inspector Yakubu, who revealed that he had once been Farida’s classmate, described her as humble and jovial.

‘The first time she came, I didn’t recognise her until we went to the hospital and I engaged her in conversation. It is a really touching and terrifying experience to see a human being burning alive. Sincerely speaking, I was moved by this unfortunate incident.’

He explained that Farida’s sister later confirmed she had been battling mental health issues, which might have triggered the act.

‘This is something from God, and He takes life at any time and in whichever way He so desires. May Allah forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannah Firdaus,’ he prayed.

A trader near the residence, Malam Auwal Shehu, who was among those who rushed to the scene when the fire spread to the roof of the entrance, also recounted the experience.

‘At first, we thought it was a fire outbreak, so we rushed with the intention of putting it out. But on arrival, we discovered it was a woman burning alive. It was a terrifying moment,’ he said.

‘Although we managed to put out the flames and keep her alive for a while, Farida eventually died from the severe injuries she sustained.

‘People tried their best to save her, but because Allah had destined that she would die in this way, no one could prevent her from burning herself,’ he said.

Another resident who witnessed the incident told Daily Trust that they were drawn to the scene by thick smoke rising from the direction of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister’s residence.

‘We ran towards the house with the intention of putting out the flames. By the time we managed to extinguish the fire, about 70 percent of Farida’s body had already been burnt.

‘The most unfortunate part was that while we were trying to quench the fire, Farida kept screaming and running in desperation for her life. No one could dare hold her while she was burning.

‘Within just a few minutes, her entire body was severely damaged by the flames. Some particles of her burnt skin even scattered across the premises as she ran from one end of the compound to another, crying for help,’ he said.

When our correspondent visited the residence on Thursday, the section of the house affected by the fire had already been renovated, with new roofing and walls in place.

Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed that the police have opened an investigation into the incident.

He said preliminary findings indicated that the deceased had a history of mental illness, which reportedly began after the birth of her last child.

‘She was rescued alive and taken to ATBUTH, where she was admitted and her statement taken before she later passed away,’ Wakil added.

The European Union (EU) has warned that Nigeria is at risk of experiencing the shortcomings associated with the 2023 general election in 2027 if reforms are not concluded before the polls.

At a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Barry Andrews, member of the European Parliament and former Chief Observer of the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the 2023 polls, declared that Nigeria’s progress on electoral reforms has been ‘modest at best, dangerously close to stagnation.’

‘The country’s democratic resilience depends on reforms that citizens can believe in, and while we welcome the legislative momentum seen in the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the ongoing constitutional review process, time is rapidly running out.

‘Unless these reforms are concluded within the next few months, there is a risk of repeating the serious shortcomings of 2023. We encourage all political actors to seize the momentum to deliver reforms that can safeguard transparency, inclusiveness and credibility in the 2027 elections.’ According to the EU Follow-Up Mission, of the 23 priority reforms proposed after Nigeria’s troubled 2023 elections, only one has been fully implemented.

Two others are partially adopted, eight remain ongoing, nine are untouched, and three are too early to assess, warning that this lethargy threatens to derail preparations for 2027.

‘Time is running out. The window is closing. Without real political will, Nigerians will face the same disputes, mistrust and chaos that plagued the last elections,’ Andrews cautioned.

The EU outlined six critical reforms that must be delivered well in advance of 2027: transparent INEC appointments, election results transparency, women’s representation, creation of an Independent Electoral Offences Commission to end impunity for vote-buying, violence, and intimidation, passage of the 2025 Electoral Act Amendment and constitutional reforms to give INEC a stable legal framework and media freedom and journalist protection.

‘INEC cannot operate on shifting ground,’ Andrews stressed, adding, ‘It needs a clear, stable legal framework well in advance of elections. Timing is everything.’

Electoral impunity also loomed large. ‘Vote buying, violence and intimidation remain unchecked,’ the mission said. ‘Prosecutions are so few that they do nothing to deter criminal activity.’

On media freedoms, the EU demanded stronger protections: ‘A free press is non-negotiable in any democracy. Journalists must be shielded, not silenced.’

EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, in his closing remark, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Nigeria’s democratic journey, stressing that while the EU can assist, implementation rests squarely with Nigerian leaders.

‘We are fully backing Nigeria through our democratic governance support programme,’ he said. ‘But these are recommendations that Nigeria must own. The credibility of your democracy depends on it.’

The EU Follow-Up Mission will remain in Nigeria for a week before submitting its progress report and recommendations.

Nigerian billionaire Arthur Eze has secured four offshore exploration blocks in Liberia through his company, Atlas Oranto Petroleum Limited with plans to invest over $800m.

This followed the agreement between the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) and Atlas Oranto Petroleum International Ltd.

Four Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) in Paris, representing Liberia’s first major upstream oil agreements in more than a decade were signed.

The contracts, sealed under the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Law of Liberia, will take effect once ratified by the National Legislature and approved by Liberian President Joseph N. Boakai.

They cover offshore Blocks LB-15, LB-16, LB-22 and LB-24 in the Liberian Basin and include a $12 million signature bonus, alongside planned investments of over $200 million per block.

LPRA Director General Marilyn T. Logan described the deal as a ‘turning point’ for Liberia’s petroleum industry.

‘Atlas Oranto’s entry into Liberia is a testament to the country’s hydrocarbon potential and commitment to ensuring African companies play a leading role in our upstream programme,’ she said, adding that the contracts would help deliver wider economic benefits through employment opportunities, capacity building and the transfer of technical expertise.

Atlas Oranto, one of Africa’s largest privately owned oil and gas firms, operates in more than 20 countries. Its Executive Chairman, Prince Arthur Eze, framed the Liberian deal as a long-term partnership.

‘We are proud to join Liberia at this historic moment. We see Liberia not just as an investment destination but as a partner for success,’ he stated.

Liberia’s long-stalled ambition to develop its offshore oil reserves has received a boost with the entry of Nigerian firm Atlas Oranto Petroleum, which signed four production sharing contracts with the government last week.

The agreements, valued at a $12 million signature bonus, are seen as a potential turning point for a sector hindered for years by political uncertainty and global oil price volatility. Liberian Officials say the deal could help diversify an economy still reliant on iron ore, rubber and gold.

At the signing ceremony in Paris, President Boakai said: ‘Our goal is to ensure that Liberia’s resources are managed with transparency and responsibility. These contracts will be implemented with strict standards of environmental protection, strong local participation, and clear accountability so that Liberians benefit directly from the opportunities created.’

Arthur Eze’s footprint

Atlas Oranto operates in 22 countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Zambia.

In 2010, the Nigerian billionaire was awarded three oil blocks in Liberia for US $200,000 each and later sold them to Chevron the same year for over US $250 million, marking a significant early profit in his West African operations.

Arthur Eze is a philanthropist, politician, and the CEO of Atlas Oranto Petroleum, the largest privately held Nigerian exploration and production group.

Atlas Oranto Petroleum was founded by Arthur Eze in 1991. The company currently has 22 oil and gas licences in 12 jurisdictions across Africa. It has assets in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and several Atlas Oranto operated blocks.

To date, the company is the largest holder of oil exploration blocks in Africa.

With its latest contracts in Liberia, Executive Chairman Arthur Eze strengthens the company’s African footprint while extending Atlas Oranto’s reach into global frontier energy markets.

Jigawa State Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi, has emerged as one of the standout leaders to be honoured at the forthcoming Nigeria GovTech Conference and Awards 2025, holding on October 9-10 at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Governor Namadi is being recognised with the Federal Government’s GovTech Public Service Award for his groundbreaking reforms and consistent push to digitise governance, modernise service delivery, and prepare Jigawa’s youth for the digital economy.

Since assuming office, the governor has championed ICT as a driver of socio-economic growth, establishing the Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency as a central hub for innovation and digital policy.

Through this institution, Jigawa has rolled out forward-looking initiatives that place the state at the forefront of Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

A major highlight of his administration is the training of nearly 30,000 teachers in digital literacy, a deliberate investment in education designed to empower the next generation with 21st-century skills.

In addition, his flagship JIGAWA COMPETE Initiative has introduced tools such as the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) software, which captures real-time data on schools, teachers, students, and infrastructure – a game-changer for evidence-based planning.

Governor Namadi has also pushed Jigawa into the global tech conversation by partnering with Gluwa and the Office of the Vice President to launch a Blockchain and AI Training Program.

The scheme has equipped hundreds of Jigawa youths with skills in blockchain fundamentals, AI data annotation, and digital marketing, giving them opportunities to compete in the fast-growing Web3 and AI markets.

Beyond education and youth empowerment, his administration has embraced e-governance and data-driven strategies to strengthen service delivery in critical sectors such as health, agriculture and finance.

These reforms reflect a clear commitment to digital transformation, transparency, and efficient governance

The recognition comes as part of the third edition of the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards, organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR).

This year’s theme, ‘Redefining Possibilities: Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Public Service Delivery and Socio-Economic Development,’ aligns perfectly with the Namadi administration’s vision of a digital-first Jigawa.

Governor Namadi will receive the award alongside other distinguished leaders, including Governors Alex Otti (Abia), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), as well as several federal ministers and heads of key government agencies.

For Jigawa State, the honour is both a national endorsement of Namadi’s digital governance model and a clear signal that the state is charting a bold path into Nigeria’s tech-enabled future.

Authorities of the Nigerian Navy, on Thursday, said the threats being experienced on maritime domains are often asymmetrical, fluid, and transnational in nature.

It also stressed that Nigeria, like many other nations in the Global South, stands at a critical crossroads, adding that Nigeria’s national security landscape is rapidly evolving.

The Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, stated this at Naval Headquarters, Abuja, during a seminar on research and development for senior officers.

Daily Trust reports that the seminar, with the theme: ‘Utilizing Emerging Technology for Enhanced Operational Effectiveness,’ was organised by the Transformation Branch of the maritime force.

Speaking before the main lecture was held, Ogalla, who was represented by the Chief of Communications and Information Technology, Rear Admiral Hamza Kaoje, said it is important to adequately support the personnel of the force with the latest technology in order to meet the demands of 21st-century naval operations.

‘Nigeria, like many other nations in the Global South, stands at a critical crossroads.

‘Our national security landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by a complex interplay of threats ranging from maritime crimes such as piracy, illegal bunkering, smuggling, and sea robbery, to onshore insecurities that continue to threaten critical infrastructure and economic lifelines.

‘In our vast maritime domain, which plays host to critical oil and gas infrastructure, the threats are often asymmetrical, fluid, and transnational in nature.

‘Notably, the adversaries we confront are increasingly leveraging modern technologies, including unmanned platforms, encrypted communications, and advanced navigation systems, he said.

‘It is, therefore, becoming abundantly clear that the battle for maritime security and dominance will no longer be won by numerical superiority alone.

‘Rather, our success will depend on superior innovation, intelligence, adaptability, and technological sophistication. In essence, the NN must remain ahead of the curve through proactiveness and innovation,’ the naval chief explained.

Ogalla added that globally, technology has become the cornerstone of modern naval operations.

A former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday criticised the leadership and members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over their recent action against Dangote Refinery.

Oshiomhole specifically described the recent union’s strike action which was suspended on Wednesday as ‘ill-considered’, arguing that new private sector investors like Dangote should be given time to stabilise before facing intense labour action.

The former governor of Edo State, who stated this when he appeared on Arise News, maintained that the union was supposed to have faced Dangote Refinery alone if at all it must fight rather than shutting other establishments.

Daily Trust reports that both PENGASSAN and Dangote Refinery have been at loggerheads following the unionisation of some employees working with the refinery. The company had subsequently sacked over 800 of its employees, and replaced them with foreign nationals from Indian, according to PENGASSAN, a development both unions in the oil sector frowned at.

While the company premised its decision on alleged sabotage, the union maintained that Dangote Refinery flouted Labour laws, International Labour Organizations (ILO) conventions and the Nigerian constitution.

Specifically, the development triggered a rapid response from PENGASSAN, whose members shut down export terminals, blocked vessel loading, and locked offices across oil and gas facilities.

After marathon negotiations involving the federal government, labour leaders, and security agencies, a communique was signed on Wednesday morning at about 2:30 am where Dangote Group agreed to re-fix sacked employees.

However, reacting to the development on Friday, the former NLC President noted that the oil union’s decision to shut down facilities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other firms because of issues at Dangote was ‘ill-considered’.

He said, ‘In pursuing war, you have to recognise that the tools you deploy must not hurt innocent people, like the tomato sellers who cannot get fuel to move their goods because there is a quarrel between one refinery and one union.

‘An employer has to exist, mature and be strong enough to guarantee good-paying jobs. If you cripple a business before it even finds its feet, you are also destroying the jobs you claim to protect,’ he said during the interview monitored by our Correspondent.

Oshiomhole, who is also a Senator in the 10th Assembly, said while the unions have the right to defend workers, they must do so in ways that do not create wider economic hardship.

The lawmaker, while affirming that the right to unionise is fundamental, called for caution and balance, insisting that their recent move was hasty and unfair to other workers.

He added, ‘I think that in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the jobs of several other workers. When you are pursuing a dispute, the tools you deploy must be such that they do not undermine other people’s jobs.

‘Freedom of association is not just a constitutional right, it is a God-given right. But with that freedom comes responsibility, both the employer and employee must exercise their rights in a way that is fair.’

He adde, ‘I suddenly witnessed long queues at filling stations and people came to me to ask, ‘why are we not at work today, what has happened to the oil industry?’ And the reason was that PENGASSAN had decided that NNPC be shut down, several other companies shut down, all because of a problem in one refinery.’

Referencing his reign as President of NLC, Oshiomhole maintained that when there is a dispute, a specific employer should be targeted, not all the employers in the sector.

‘We had a big battle with Union Bank of Nigeria over their policy on married couples working together. But even when we had the capacity to shut down all the banks, we didn’t. We recognised that the alleged offence of Union Bank could not be said to apply to others,’ he recalled.