The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) launched a nationwide strike on Monday, paralyzing operations at major oil and gas institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The strike, initiated following a directive from PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council over the weekend, led to a complete withdrawal of services by union members across the country. Major regulatory agencies were forced to close their doors, with reports confirming that the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja was locked, preventing staff from entering. Security personnel at the facility verified that the shutdown was in compliance with the strike order. Similarly, the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja’s Central Business District was entirely shut down as staff adhered strictly to the union’s directive.
Tony Iziogba, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, confirmed to journalists that the strike achieved “100 per cent compliance,” with both staff and visitors barred from entering the premises. He noted that the same level of compliance was observed at NNPCL and other affected agencies.
The industrial action was sparked by the alleged unlawful termination of approximately 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which PENGASSAN claims violated Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation standards. The union accused the refinery of dismissing workers for their union membership and replacing them with expatriates. In response, PENGASSAN directed its members to halt the supply of crude oil and natural gas to the refinery, a move that has raised concerns about disruptions in fuel distribution. Energy marketers have warned that the strike could lead to increased fuel prices and exacerbate scarcity nationwide.
In a resolution signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN instructed members to cease work starting at 12:01 am on September 29, 2025, with those in field locations directed to shut down operations from 6:00 am on September 28 and engage in continuous prayer sessions. The resolution further demanded that “all processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery be halted immediately” and called for International Oil Companies (IOCs) to scale down gas production and supply to the refinery and its petrochemical operations.
The strike’s impact has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s energy sector, with stakeholders bracing for further economic repercussions as the standoff continues.
