Operations across Nigeria’s key petroleum regulatory agencies were brought to a halt on Monday as members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) began an indefinite strike.
The action, which followed a directive issued by the union’s National Executive Council over the weekend, disrupted activities at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
At the head office of NUPRC in Abuja, the gates were locked and workers were denied entry. Security personnel confirmed that nobody was allowed access because of the strike order.
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The story was the same at NMDPRA, where business was completely grounded. Confirming the level of participation, the PENGASSAN chairman at the authority, Tony Iziogba, said the decision recorded full success.
“We have achieved 100 per cent compliance,” he stated, explaining that staff and visitors were completely restricted from entering the premises. He also noted that full compliance was recorded in NNPCL and other connected agencies.
The union explained that the strike was triggered by the alleged unjust dismissal of no fewer than 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. It argued that the refinery had ignored labour laws and international conventions by sacking workers because they joined the union, and later replacing them with foreigners.
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In a formal resolution signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union declared: “All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately. All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
The directive to suspend crude and gas supplies has unsettled the energy sector. Oil marketers have already warned that the move could disrupt fuel distribution, with fears that shortages and price increases might follow if the situation persists.
The union had earlier announced that members working in all offices, facilities, companies, and institutions should withdraw their services from 12:01am on Monday, September 29, 2025. Members deployed at field locations were directed to stop work from 6:00am on Sunday, September 28, while also beginning a prayer vigil.
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With NNPCL now the sole importer of petrol and NUPRC responsible for supervising crude and gas production, industry players are concerned that the strike could affect fuel supply nationwide and even impact electricity generation.
The Minister of Labour has invited the union and stakeholders to an emergency meeting in Abuja. Whether both sides will reach an understanding remains uncertain. For now, ordinary Nigerians await the outcome, anxious about how the crisis may affect fuel availability and power supply in the coming days.