Operations at important oil and gas regulatory organisations, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, were paralysed Monday by the nationwide strike announced by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria.
Members nationwide withdrew their services as part of the industrial action, which was prompted by the union’s National Executive Council’s mandate over the weekend. This effectively shut down vital organisations that support Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
On-duty security personnel attested that, in accordance with the union’s strike instruction, no employees were let entry.
Similar to this, staff totally complied with the industrial action, completely grounding operations at the NMDPRA headquarters in the bustling Central Business District.
Tony Iziogba, the PENGASSAN Chairman in the NMDPRA, confirmed the situation saying that the union had attained “100 per cent compliance,” thereby limiting access for employees and guests.
He went on to say that his colleagues at the NNPCL and other pertinent authorities had likewise ensured complete compliance.
According to PENGASSAN, the alleged illegal termination of around 800 employees at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery made the strike inevitable.
Oil marketers have warned of serious interruptions in fuel distribution as a result of the union’s order to stop supplying the Dangote Petroleum Refinery with petrol and crude oil. It is anticipated that this action will stifle the domestic market, increasing demand and costs.
PENGASSAN declared a nationwide strike on Sunday, directing all of its members in different offices, businesses, organisations, and agencies to stop providing any services beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025.
Additionally, the union instructed members who were assigned to different field areas to start a 24-hour prayer vigil and down tools at 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28.
The union accused the refinery of breaking Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation agreements by firing workers for joining the union in a strongly worded resolution signed by Lumumba Okugbawa, General Secretary of PENGASSAN. It claimed that foreigners had taken the position of the fired employees.
The decision said that “all procedures involving the supply of petrol and crude to Dangote Refinery should be stopped immediately.” “All International Oil Companies (IOC) branches must reduce gas production and supply to petrochemicals and the Dangote Refinery.”
Since NNPC is still the only importer of petrol and the midstream and downstream authorities control supply and distribution, the development has increased concerns about fuel shortages and blackouts. In a similar vein, NUPRC is in charge of keeping an eye on crude output and enforcing power stations’ gas delivery commitments.
Now, everyone is focused on the emergency meeting that the Labour Minister called on Monday. The willingness of both parties to make concessions may determine if discussion will bring about peace or if Nigeria’s problem worsens.
