WITTY GLOBAL BLOGS | THURSDAY FLAGSHIP EDITION Africa's $2 Billion Creative Economy Financing Push: What Nigerian Filmmakers, Musicians and Digital Creators Need to Know By Itoro Uwah | Thursday, November 12, 2026 CREATIVE ECONOMY | BUSINESS | TECHNOLOGY | INVESTMENT LAGOS, NIGERIA — Africa's creative economy is attracting renewed attention from development financiers and policymakers, following the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) WKND 2026 gathering in Lagos from November 5 to 8. Organised by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and hosted by Nigeria, the gathering brought together creative entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and cultural-industry professionals to explore financing, intellectual property, technology and market access. Afreximbank's CANEX financing ambition has expanded to $2 billion, reflecting a growing institutional effort to support African cultural and creative enterprises. However, the figure must be understood correctly...
Bishop Kukah, Waziri, Others Wade Into Dangote Refinery / PENGASSAN Crisis
NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, links the refinery–union dispute to the scarcity and rising prices of cooking gas as Bishop Matthew Kukah and other civic leaders urge dialogue and protection of workers’ rights.
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has led a group of concerned Nigerians in intervening in the ongoing crisis between the Dangote Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). In a joint statement signed by Bishop Kukah and twelve others, the group emphasized that Nigeria must not stifle the fundamental rights of workers to join unions of their choice, warning that the recent industrial strike sent the wrong signals to investors at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, on Monday linked the crisis to the scarcity and hike in prices of cooking gas, underscoring how industrial relations can ripple across households and the broader economy.
Why This Dispute Matters for Energy Security & Investment
For decades, Nigerians endured the collapse of government-owned refineries, wasteful subsidy regimes, and reliance on imports. In that context, the Dangote Refinery symbolizes what bold domestic investment can achieve. Any prolonged breakdown between management and labour risks reversing hard-won progress, heightening inflationary pressures, and eroding investor confidence.
Key Points
- Workers’ Rights: The statement by Bishop Kukah and others urges respect for the right to freely join unions and engage in collective bargaining.
- Investor Signals: Industrial unrest can send negative cues to current and prospective investors monitoring Nigeria’s reforms.
- Household Impact: According to NNPCL’s Bayo Ojulari, the crisis is already tied to cooking gas scarcity and price spikes.
- National Symbol: The Dangote Refinery is seen as a national milestone in the quest for energy independence.
What the Stakeholders Are Saying
“We, the undersigned, note with concern the recent disputes and disruptions surrounding the Dangote Refinery. Although the immediate crisis has been de-escalated through government mediation and renewed dialogue between labour and management, the episode raises important lessons for Nigeria’s economic future.”
The statement further notes that, beyond the immediate truce, the real test is building durable frameworks that protect rights, minimize disruptions, and keep Nigeria’s energy transition on track.
Path Forward: Dialogue, Due Process & Predictability
To restore confidence, stakeholders are urging: (1) good-faith dialogue between management and labour; (2) adherence to due process on any disciplinary or restructuring actions; (3) transparent dispute-resolution mechanisms; and (4) consistent government facilitation that prioritizes stability without undermining rights.
At a Glance
- Main actors: Dangote Refinery, PENGASSAN, Bishop Matthew Kukah & civic leaders, NNPCL (Bayo Ojulari).
- Immediate concern: Cooking gas scarcity and price hikes reportedly linked to the dispute.
- Bigger picture: Labour climate, investor confidence, and the credibility of Nigeria’s industrial reforms.
Bottom Line
Nigeria’s energy future depends on predictable, rights-respecting labour relations. The interventions by Bishop Kukah and other leaders show that civil society can help steer tense negotiations toward solutions that protect workers, reassure investors, and keep the refinery’s national promise alive.
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