A nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday crippled activities at major oil and gas regulatory agencies, 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 industrial action, declared after a weekend directive from the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdraw their services, effectively halting operations in critical institutions that drive Nigeria’s energy sector.
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate remained locked, leaving employees stranded. Security officials confirmed that no staff were permitted entry, in line with the strike order. A similar scene played out at the NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District, where activities were completely grounded.
Tony Iziogba, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, confirmed to The PUNCH that there was “100 per cent compliance,” adding that the same level of enforcement was achieved at NNPCL and other relevant agencies.
According to PENGASSAN, the strike became necessary following the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers who joined the union and replacing them with foreigners.
In a resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union ordered an immediate halt to all crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Refinery. “All International Oil Companies must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals,” the statement read.
The directive has raised concerns of fuel scarcity and possible blackouts, as the NNPCL remains Nigeria’s sole importer of petrol while NUPRC oversees crude production and gas supply to power plants. Oil marketers have warned that disruptions in supply could lead to higher prices and tighter availability in the domestic market.
PENGASSAN began the strike at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, after instructing members in field locations to down tools from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday and hold a continuous prayer vigil.
The Minister of Labour has convened an emergency meeting to mediate. The outcome of the talks will determine whether the strike is resolved quickly or Nigeria’s energy crisis deepens.
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