The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday crippled activities at key oil and gas agencies.
Among those affected were the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The industrial action followed a directive from the union’s National Executive Council. Members across the country withdrew their services, shutting down operations in the sector.
At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the gates were locked, leaving staff stranded outside. Security operatives confirmed the restriction was in line with the strike order.
Activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District were also grounded as workers fully complied.
Confirming the situation, PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, said there was “100 per cent compliance.”
He added that the same level of enforcement was achieved at NNPCL and other agencies.
The union said the strike became necessary after about 800 workers were allegedly sacked by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
It accused the company of flouting labour laws and replacing dismissed workers with foreigners.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the union’s resolution declared.
“All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
Oil marketers have warned that the action could disrupt fuel supply, trigger scarcity, and drive up prices.
The shutdown also raises fears of blackouts, as NNPCL is the sole petrol importer while NUPRC oversees crude and gas supply to power plants.
The Minister of Labour has called an emergency meeting today in a bid to avert a deeper crisis.
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