The nationwide strike declared on Monday by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has crippled operations across key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The strike, which followed a weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members withdraw their services nationwide, shutting down critical agencies at the heart of Nigeria’s energy sector.
At NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked, leaving staff stranded outside. Security operatives confirmed that no entry was allowed in line with the strike order. Similarly, the NMDPRA office in the Central Business District was completely shut as workers fully complied with the directive.
PENGASSAN chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, said the union achieved “100 per cent compliance” across agencies, including NNPC.
The union explained that the industrial action became inevitable following the alleged unlawful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. It accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by sacking workers for union membership and replacing them with foreign staff.
In a resolution signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN ordered an immediate halt to crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery. “All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately. All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals,” the union declared.
The shutdown has raised fears of severe disruptions in fuel supply and electricity generation, with oil marketers warning of imminent scarcity and price hikes. NNPC remains Nigeria’s sole petrol importer, while NMDPRA oversees supply and distribution, and NUPRC monitors crude output and gas supply obligations to power plants.
PENGASSAN had earlier instructed its members to cease all services nationwide from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, while those at field locations began downing tools from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday. The directive also included a round-the-clock prayer vigil.
With the strike biting hard, attention now shifts to the emergency meeting called by the Minister of Labour. The outcome will determine whether dialogue can defuse the standoff or if Nigeria slides deeper into an energy crisis.
