The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday began a nationwide strike that grounded 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).

The action followed a weekend directive from the union’s National Executive Council, leading to a complete withdrawal of services by members nationwide. Critical regulatory agencies were forced to shut down, raising fears of widespread disruptions in the energy sector.

At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was locked with staff denied entry, while security personnel confirmed the facility had been sealed off in line with the strike order. The NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District also experienced a total shutdown as workers complied fully.

Confirming the development, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told reporters the strike recorded “100 per cent compliance,” adding that operations at NNPCL and other agencies had also been halted.

The union said the strike was triggered by the alleged unlawful termination of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. It accused the company of sacking employees for union membership and replacing them with expatriates, in violation of Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation standards.

Already, PENGASSAN has ordered the stoppage of crude oil and natural gas supply to the refinery, a move marketers warn could trigger fuel scarcity and price hikes.

In a resolution signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union directed members nationwide to stop work from 12:01 a.m. on September 29, while those in field locations were instructed to shut down operations from 6:00 a.m. on September 28 and commence a continuous prayer session.

“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution stated. “All IOC branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”