Student Body Takes Stand for National Economic Independence
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has made a powerful appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for an immediate and complete ban on the importation of refined petroleum products into Nigeria. This significant demand emerged during a massive solidarity rally organized in Benin City on Wednesday, November 7, 2025.
The event, themed "Protecting National Assets, Securing Youth Futures: NAPS Solidarity with Dangote Refinery for Economic Growth and Stability," brought together students from polytechnics, monotechnics, and colleges of technology across the nation.
Youth Leadership Speaks Out Against Economic Sabotage
Addressing the gathered students and supporters, NAPS National President Comrade Eshiofune Paul Oghayan delivered a passionate speech emphasizing the critical importance of protecting Nigeria's domestic refining capacity. "Banning fuel importation is crucial to protecting the nation's refineries from economic sabotage and shielding the future of young Nigerians," Oghayan declared.
The student leader highlighted the Dangote Refinery's substantial capacity to end Nigeria's decades-long dependence on imported fuel, strengthen the country's foreign exchange reserves, and deliver significant economic benefits to the nation.
Oghayan raised serious concerns about certain labor unions in the oil and gas sector, alleging they are making deliberate attempts to undermine the operations of local refineries. He described such actions as "a direct threat to national stability and economic growth."
Dangote Refinery: Symbol of African Resilience
The NAPS president portrayed the Dangote Refinery as a monumental achievement in African industrial development. "One refinery rose, not from foreign hands, but from Nigerian courage," Oghayan stated proudly. "It is the largest single-train refinery in the world—built by African hands, on African soil, and with African grit."
The association maintained that stopping the influx of imported fuel would achieve multiple benefits:
- Protect indigenous refiners from unfair competition
- Spur nationwide economic development
- Create substantial job opportunities for Nigerian youth
- Ensure energy self-sufficiency for the nation
Oghayan emphasized the seriousness of their gathering, stating: "Today, we gather here in Benin City, Edo State, not as spectators of national affairs, but as stakeholders in Nigeria's industrial destiny. This rally is not noise. It is a national message. We are here because silence, at this moment, would be sabotage wrapped in cowardice."
Specific Demands for Government Action
NAPS presented concrete proposals to the Federal Government, insisting that "any sabotage against the Dangote Refinery must be treated as economic terrorism." The student body urged the government to allocate 100% of locally available crude oil supply to the Dangote Refinery, arguing this would help reduce fuel prices, stabilize the naira, and curb foreign exchange losses.
While acknowledging President Tinubu's approval of a 15% reduction in fuel importation, the students argued that "half-measures cannot deliver full recovery," insisting that Nigeria must refine all the fuel it consumes domestically.
The association demanded "national priority for locally refined fuel in government procurement, transport, aviation, power, and military sectors." Oghayan warned that failure to protect the refinery would mean losing "more than fuel"—including job opportunities, research prospects, technology transfer, and "a generation of industrial opportunity."
The rally served as a powerful demonstration of youth engagement in national economic matters, with students positioning themselves as active participants in shaping Nigeria's industrial future rather than passive observers.
