PENGASSAN Shuts Down NNPCL, NMDPRA, NUPRC As Nationwide Strike Begins

Members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday blocked the entrances of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in Abuja, following instructions from the union’s national leadership for a nationwide strike.

The union members are protesting the unlawful dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian employees by the Dangote Refinery management.

On Monday afternoon, the union members were seen singing solidarity songs as they gathered outside the NNPCL offices, as well as the offices of oil and gas regulators.

Similar blockades were reported at the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The strike follows an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

In a circular signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN accused Dangote refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organization conventions by dismissing workers for being union members.

The union also claimed that the dismissed workers were replaced with “over 2,000 Indians,” calling the move “an affront to all workers in Nigeria.”

PENGASSAN ordered members in field locations to stop work from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, and begin 24-hour prayers.

All members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies were instructed to withdraw services from midnight on Monday, September 29.

“All PENGASSAN members working across field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00hrs on Sunday, 28 September 2025, and commence 24-hour prayers. This includes all control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel.

“All PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies should withdraw all services effective 00:01 on Monday, 29th of September, 2025″, the circular read in part.

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KanyiDaily recalls that last week, Dangote Petroleum Refinery claimed that the recent workforce reorganisation, which led to the sacking of some workers, was aimed at preventing sabotage.