Operations at Nigeria’s key oil and gas regulatory bodies have come to a standstill as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) launched a nationwide strike on Monday. The affected agencies include the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

The strike, directed by the union’s National Executive Council over the weekend, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down offices and field operations. At NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, security confirmed that gates were locked and staff were barred from entering. Similarly, NMDPRA headquarters in the Central Business District experienced a total shutdown as workers adhered to the industrial action.

Tony Iziogba, PENGASSAN Chairman at NMDPRA, stated that the union achieved “100 per cent compliance” at all relevant agencies, including NNPC. The union’s action was triggered by the alleged wrongful dismissal of approximately 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, reportedly replaced by foreign staff.

PENGASSAN also instructed members to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery, raising concerns over potential disruptions in fuel distribution and domestic shortages. Office-based staff began the strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday, while field workers started a round-the-clock prayer vigil on Sunday.

In a resolution signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labor laws and International Labour Organization conventions. The directive called for International Oil Companies (IOCs) to suspend gas and crude supply to Dangote facilities.

The strike has sparked fears of fuel scarcity, blackouts, and wider disruptions in the energy sector, given that NNPC is the primary petrol importer and NMDPRA regulates midstream and downstream distribution, while NUPRC oversees crude production and gas supply to power plants.

All eyes are now on the emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour, with stakeholders hoping dialogue can resolve the standoff and prevent a deeper crisis in Nigeria’s oil sector.