The Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)’s nationwide industrial action has forced an effective shutdown of key oil and gas regulatory bodies across the country.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) all saw operations suspended as union members, in adherence to strike orders, withdrew services.
At NUPRC’s Abuja headquarters, its main gate was locked and staff were barred from entering. Similar scenes played out at NMDPRA’s offices in the Central Business District, where union officials claimed “100 percent compliance.” Tony Iziogba, PENGASSAN’s chairman at NMDPRA, confirmed that no staff or visitors were permitted access, a pattern also reported at NNPC facilities.
The strike was triggered in response to alleged mass dismissals at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery — approximately 800 workers, according to PENGASSAN.
The union further accuses the refinery operators of violating both Nigerian labor laws and International Labour Organisation standards, citing claims that dismissed workers were replaced with foreign labor.
In its resolution, PENGASSAN has ordered the immediate suspension of crude oil and gas supply to Dangote’s refinery, and directed all International Oil Company (IOC) branches to reduce supplies directed there.
The union warned the strike could precipitate fuel shortages and tighten domestic supply, especially given NNPC’s sole authority to import petrol and the downstream authorities’ role in distribution.
Oil marketers have expressed alarm, anticipating disruptions to fuel distribution and possible spikes in prices.
With the crisis escalating, attention has turned to a scheduled emergency meeting by the Ministry of Labour, which may prove pivotal in either diffusing or deepening the standoff.
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