PENGASSAN Strike Grounds NNPCL, Regulators, Threatens Fuel Supply

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The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday has paralysed operations across Nigeria’s key oil and gas regulatory institutions, sparking fears of fuel shortages and supply disruptions.

The industrial action, approved over the weekend by the union’s National Executive Council, forced members to withdraw their services, effectively shutting down critical 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).

Offices Shut, Workers Stranded

At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked on Monday morning, leaving employees stranded outside. Security operatives confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in strict compliance with the union’s directive.

In the Central Business District, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters were also completely grounded.

Confirming the development, Tony Iziogba, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, told The PUNCH that the strike achieved “100 per cent compliance,” with similar enforcement reported at NNPCL and other agencies nationwide.

Trigger: Sack of 800 Workers at Dangote Refinery

The union said the strike became inevitable after the alleged dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. PENGASSAN accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions by sacking employees who joined the union, claiming they were replaced with foreign workers.

In a resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union ordered:

“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately. All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

Risks to Fuel Supply and Power

The directive to suspend crude oil and gas deliveries to the Dangote facility has rattled the energy market, with oil marketers warning of imminent disruptions in fuel distribution. Industry experts say the move could choke domestic supply, trigger scarcity, and drive up pump prices.

The impact may also extend to power generation, as NUPRC oversees gas supply obligations to power plants, while NNPCL remains Nigeria’s sole petrol importer.

Next Steps: Government Intervention

The Minister of Labour has convened an emergency meeting for Monday in a bid to defuse the standoff. Stakeholders say whether dialogue restores calm—or Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis—depends on the willingness of both parties to compromise.