PENGASSAN shuts down NNPCL, oil regulators over mass sack at Dangote refinery
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday began a nationwide strike, shutting down operations at key oil and gas institutions in protest against the alleged unlawful dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In Abuja, protesting union members barricaded the headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Chanting solidarity songs, the protesters blocked entry to the offices, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the affected workers. Similar actions were reported in other parts of the country as the union’s industrial action took effect.
The strike follows a resolution reached at an emergency National Executive Council meeting of PENGASSAN held on Saturday, September 27. In a circular signed by General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused Dangote Refinery of breaching Nigerian labour laws, the Constitution, and international labour conventions by terminating workers who had joined the association.
PENGASSAN further alleged that the sacked employees were replaced with over 2,000 foreign nationals, mainly Indians, describing the move as “an affront to all Nigerian workers.”
“All PENGASSAN members working across field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00hrs on Sunday, 28 September 2025. This includes all control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel,” the circular stated.
It continued: “All PENGASSAN members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies should withdraw services effective 00:01 on Monday, 29th September, 2025.”
At NNPCL Towers, union members blocked the main gate, preventing staff and visitors from entering. Similar scenes were observed at NMDPRA and NUPRC headquarters, where workers also enforced the strike directive.
However, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has defended its decision, stating that the recent reorganisation was a strategic move to prevent operational sabotage and improve efficiency. The company denied allegations of arbitrariness, insisting the layoffs were based on performance and operational considerations.
Despite the company’s defence, the strike appears set to disrupt key oil and gas operations across the country, as PENGASSAN has vowed to sustain the action until its demands are met.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders in the oil and gas sector are watching closely, with concerns over the potential impact on fuel supply and national revenue.