While state-owned refineries degenerated into scraps and conduits for enriching a select group of contractors and government insiders, the Dangote Refinery emerged as a national lifeline. After the Nigerian Mid and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) alleged that Dangote’s fuel was substandard, Nigerians swiftly countered with viral videos comparing NNPCL’s fuel and Dangote’s. When fuel subsidy was removed and Nigerians faced dire economic consequences, the unions did little to negotiate living wages or welfare packages. And now, even with Dangote’s abundant fuel supply, NUPENG tankers refused to lift products, forcing the refinery to export to other African markets. Ultimately, while these unions may continue their campaigns to discredit Dangote Refinery, the core issue remains one of self-preservation at the expense of the public good.