The Senior Staff Association of Petroleum and Natural Gas of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, has initiated a countrywide strike starting Monday.
This strike has paralyzed operations at key oil and gas establishments in Nigeria, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), & the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.
Triggered by a weekend mandate from the union’s National Executive Council, this action led to an absolute cessation of services by members nationwide, prompting vital regulatoryorganizations to close their doors.
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, our correspondent noted that the main entrance was secured, leaving employees unable to enter. Security personnel affirmed that the premises had been sealed off in accordance with the strike directive.
The NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja’s Central Business District also experienced a complete closure, as employees fully complied with the order.
Confirming the situation, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA,Tony Iziogba, informed reporters that the initiative achieved “100 percent adherence,” denying both staff and visitors access.
He mentioned that similar compliance levels were observed at the NNPCL and other agencies.
The union clarified that the strike was prompted by the alleged unjust termination of approximately 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The decision to cease the supply of crude oil and natural gas to the refinery has already created anxiety within the energysector, with marketers cautioning about significant interruptions in product distribution that could drive up fuel prices and exacerbate scarcity.
On Sunday, PENGASSAN had instructed all members across the nation to halt work starting at 12:01 am on September 29,2025, while those in field locations were directed to terminate operations from 6:00 am on September 28 and to engage in continuous prayer sessions.
In its resolution, signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union alleged that Dangote Refinery breached Nigerian labor laws and International Labour Organization standards by dismissing workers for their union involvement and replacing them with foreign workers.
“All activities involving gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery must be stopped immediately,” the resolution asserted. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must decrease gas production and supply to the Dangote Refinery and petrochemical facilities.”