A nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has paralyzed the country’s oil and gas sector, shutting down key regulatory agencies and threatening fuel supplies and power generation.
The industrial action, which began on Monday, follows a directive from the union’s National Executive Council over the weekend. It has led to a complete withdrawal of services by PENGASSAN members, effectively halting operations at critical 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).
Total Compliance and Shutdown
On-the-ground observations confirmed the strike’s immediate impact. At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked, leaving employees stranded outside. Security personnel enforced the union’s directive, denying entry to all staff.
A similar scene played out at the NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District, where activities were completely grounded. Tony Iziogba, the PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, confirmed “100 per cent compliance” to The PUNCH, stating that access for both staff and visitors had been successfully restricted. He added that this level of compliance was replicated at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies.
The Cause: Dispute with Dangote Refinery
PENGASSAN stated the strike was triggered by the alleged wrongful dismissal of approximately 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The union accuses the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by firing employees for joining the union and allegedly replacing them with foreign workers.
In a resolution signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN issued a strong directive to its members: “All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately.” It further instructed all International Oil Company (IOC) branches to “ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
Sector-Wide Implications and Warnings
This move has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. The halt in crude and gas supplies is expected to choke the domestic market, potentially leading to fuel scarcity, blackouts, and a sharp increase in prices.
The situation is critical because the affected agencies are central to Nigeria’s energy infrastructure:
· The NNPCL is the sole importer of petrol.
· The NMDPRA regulates the supply and distribution of fuel.
· The NUPRC monitors crude production and enforces gas supply obligations to power plants.
Path to Resolution
All eyes are now on an emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour scheduled for Monday. The outcome of this dialogue is seen as crucial to determining whether a compromise can be reached to restore calm or if Nigeria will plunge deeper into an energy crisis. The resolution of the dispute hinges on the willingness of both PENGASSAN and the Dangote Refinery management to negotiate.
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