JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike Paralyzes Operations at NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA, Others

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has launched a nationwide strike, bringing operations at key 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), to a standstill.

The industrial action, following a directive from the union’s National Executive Council over the weekend, saw a complete withdrawal of services by members across the country, forcing critical regulatory agencies to close their doors. At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, gates were locked and staff were denied access, with security personnel confirming the facility had been sealed in compliance with the strike. Similarly, the NMDPRA headquarters in Abuja’s Central Business District experienced a total shutdown.

PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, confirmed “100 per cent compliance,” noting that both staff and visitors were denied entry. He added that the same level of adherence was observed at NNPCL and other affected agencies.

The strike was triggered by the alleged unlawful termination of approximately 800 employees at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation standards by dismissing workers for union membership and replacing them with expatriates. The directive also calls for a halt in crude oil and gas supply to the refinery, a move that has raised concerns across the energy sector. Analysts warn it could disrupt product distribution, potentially driving up fuel prices and worsening scarcity.

PENGASSAN had instructed all members nationwide to stop work from 12:01 a.m. on September 29, 2025, while staff at field locations were ordered to shut down operations from 6:00 a.m. on September 28 and participate in a continuous prayer session. In a resolution signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union emphasized that all processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery must be halted immediately and called on International Oil Companies to reduce production and supply to the facility and associated petrochemical operations.