The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, on Monday commenced a nationwide strike that crippled activities at Nigeria’s 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 action, which stemmed from a weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, led to a complete withdrawal of services by members across the country, forcing critical regulatory agencies to shut their doors.
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, our reporter observed that the main gate was locked, with staff unable to gain entry. Security personnel confirmed that the facility had been sealed off in compliance with the strike order.
The NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja’s Central Business District also witnessed a total shutdown, as staff strictly adhered to the directive.
Confirming the development, the PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told newsmen that the exercise had recorded “100 per cent compliance,” with both staff and visitors denied entry.
He added that the same level of compliance was achieved at the NNPCL and other agencies.
The union explained that the strike was triggered by the alleged unlawful termination of about 800 employees at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The decision to halt the supply of crude oil and natural gas to the refinery has already sent jitters across the energy sector, with marketers warning of major disruptions in product distribution that could push up fuel prices and worsen scarcity.
On Sunday, PENGASSAN had directed all members nationwide to stop work from 12:01 am on September 29, 2025, while those in field locations were instructed to shut down operations from 6:00 am on September 28 and embark on a continuous prayer session.
In its resolution signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union alleged that Dangote Refinery violated Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation standards by sacking workers for union membership, and replacing them with expatriates.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
