By DAYO ADESULU
Nigeria’s oil and gas industry was thrown into turmoil on Monday as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) began a nationwide strike, crippling operations at key regulatory bodies and fueling fears of imminent fuel scarcity.
The industrial action, which followed a directive from the union’s National Executive Council, effectively shut down the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Regulatory Agencies Locked Down
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gates were locked, leaving workers stranded. Security operatives confirmed that staff were barred from entry in compliance with the strike order. Similar scenes played out at the NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District, where activities were completely grounded.
Tony Iziogba, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, told reporters that the union had achieved “100% compliance,” not just at NMDPRA but also at the NNPCL and other agencies nationwide.
Trigger: Mass Sackings at Dangote Refinery
The strike was prompted by the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 Nigerian workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, who the union claims were sacked for joining PENGASSAN and replaced by foreign staff.
In a strongly worded resolution signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused Dangote Refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared, directing all International Oil Company (IOC) branches to suspend supplies to the $20bn refinery.
Impact on Energy Security
The strike has already disrupted crude and gas supply chains, raising concerns of fuel shortages, price hikes, and potential power outages. Oil marketers warn that halting supplies to Dangote Refinery—seen as central to Nigeria’s refining future—will choke the domestic market and worsen dependence on imports.
Emergency Talks Underway
The Federal Government, through the Minister of Labour, has convened an emergency meeting in Abuja to avert further escalation. With NNPCL as the country’s sole petrol importer and regulators sidelined, industry observers warn that failure to resolve the crisis swiftly could trigger nationwide fuel scarcity and blackouts.
As negotiations loom, the standoff underscores growing tensions between labour unions and investors in Nigeria’s energy sector, raising questions about labour rights, regulatory enforcement, and the future of the country’s refining capacity.
