The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria hit back Monday at Vice President Kashim Shettima's rebuke of its recent strike, asserting the nation transcends both the presidency and the Dangote Refinery, and vowing to defend members' rights with industrial action if sackings recur.

Shettima, speaking at the 2025 Nigerian Economic Summit, called Aliko Dangote an "institution" vital to Nigeria's growth and urged labor to prioritize patriotism over "holding the nation to ransom." "Nigeria is greater than PENGASSAN... no one should hold the whole nation to ransom because of a minor labour dispute," he said, praising Tinubu's intervention that resolved the two-day walkout over 800 alleged dismissals at the refinery.

PENGASSAN president Festus Osifo countered: "Of course the nation is bigger than PENGASSAN, the way it’s bigger than Dangote and the presidency." He affirmed the union's mandate to shield jobs, adding, "Should this same event occur again tomorrow, our approach will be exactly the same."

General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa echoed: "Is Nigeria not bigger than any individual or institution?"

In Kaduna, Partners for National Economic Progress rallied under "National Unity Against Sabotage," blaming PENGASSAN and an "oil importation cartel" for frustrating local refining. Leader Igwe Ude-Umanta decried the strike as "economic terrorism," demanding tariffs on imports to protect Dangote.

Protesters marched through Alkali Road and Ahmadu Bello Way, chanting "Protect Local Refining" and warning of investor flight if the refinery falters.

PENGASSAN also dissolved its Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company chapter for failing to halt gas to Dangote, but 163 members appealed, citing safety risks and military presence that thwarted efforts. They denied bribery claims, urging reinstatement to preserve solidarity.

Meanwhile, Dangote thanked Tinubu, Ribadu, DSS DG Adeola Ajayi, NIA DG Mohammed Mohammed, and ministers like Labour's Mohammed Dingyadi for round-the-clock mediation that averted "disruptive actions."