Strike Cripples Nigeria’s Oil Sector Over Dangote Refinery Sacking Dispute

Abuja, Nigeria

A nationwide strike by senior oil and gas workers in Nigeria has paralysed operations at key government and state-owned energy agencies, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The industrial action, called by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), is in protest against the alleged wrongful dismissal of around 800 workers at the massive Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The strike, which began on Monday, has effectively shut down critical regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

At the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, gates were reportedly locked, leaving employees unable to access the premises, while activities at the NMDPRA were also brought to a complete standstill.

Tony Iziogba, the PENGASSAN Chairman at the NMDPRA, confirmed “100 per cent compliance” across his agency, the NNPCL, and other relevant bodies, restricting all access.

Fuel Supply and Labour Row

The core dispute stems from the Dangote Refinery, which PENGASSAN accuses of violating Nigerian labour laws by sacking workers for joining the union and allegedly replacing them with foreign nationals.

In a strongly worded resolution, the union not only launched the strike but also issued a directive to halt all crude oil and gas supplies to the refinery.

“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the union stated, directing International Oil Companies (IOCs) to “ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery.”

This escalation has triggered immediate fears of fuel scarcity and energy shortages in the country, given that the NNPCL remains the sole importer of petrol and regulatory bodies monitor all supply and distribution.

The country is now looking to an emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour, with the hope that dialogue can quickly resolve the dispute before the energy crisis deepens.