Nigerians may face difficult days ahead as the nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, starting today (Monday), threatens to trigger a surge in petrol prices and widespread electricity outages.
The union’s order to halt crude oil and gas supplies to Dangote Petroleum Refinery has rattled the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of major disruptions to fuel distribution. The stoppage is expected to tighten supply, driving up both demand and prices.
Adding to the crisis, power generation companies have announced a full shutdown of all thermal plants, which produce over 70% of Nigeria’s electricity. The move risks plunging the country into darkness, disrupting economic activities, and straining households and businesses—unless the Federal Government steps in.
On Sunday, PENGASSAN declared the nationwide strike, directing all its members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to halt services from 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The union also instructed members at field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and begin a 24-hour prayer vigil. The emergency action came in response to the dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers at Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of breaching Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organization conventions by terminating employees for union membership.
The union further alleged that the dismissed workers were replaced with foreign staff.
“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”
The union also alleged that military personnel tried to prevent its members from halting gas supplies to the refinery. Speaking on Channels Television on Sunday, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo confirmed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, had scheduled a meeting between the parties for Monday.
Osifo revealed that the strike had already led to a full shutdown of the refinery and fertiliser plant, while the diesel plant remained operational as of Sunday evening.
He warned that the union would not back down until the dismissed workers were reinstated.
“We will not surrender unless the affected workers are re-employed by Dangote,” Osifo declared.
In response to the strike, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria cautioned that the disruption could push up fuel prices, undermine investor confidence, and further strain Nigeria’s already fragile electricity supply.
IPMAN National Publicity Officer Chinedu Ukadike said, “There is no market stability and no return on investment.
“Disruption of crude and gas supply will trigger fuel price hikes and worsen power shortages
“The directive by PENGASSAN to stop the supply of crude and gas to the refinery would definitely affect the market. Marketers may now be forced to consider importing products, which means the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority will have to issue import licences to DAPPMAN members to augment the shortfall.”
He warned that without swift intervention by the Federal Government, the crisis could trigger higher pump prices and “unnecessary galloping inflation,” placing even greater strain on Nigerians.
“I believe a proactive Federal Government, through the Minister of Petroleum, will quickly intervene to ensure these lapses do not destabilise the economy,” he added.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generation Companies, Joy Ogaji, warned that gas suppliers had ordered power plants to stop production.
“Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply. Please all be notified of imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she wrote in a message.
With thermal plants providing over 70% of Nigeria’s electricity, the shutdown is expected to cause widespread outages, overburden hydroelectric stations, and increase the risk of a nationwide system collapse.
Ogaji also noted that the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System II, which delivers natural gas to the Dangote Petrochemical Plant under the Willing Price Producers Path, has been shut down.
“We heard ELPS is already shut, only gas left in it is the Line Packed, no incoming since morning,” stated.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have urged a peaceful resolution to prevent further escalation.
The Forum of Concerned Nigerian Consumers called on the Federal Government and the Department of State Services to intervene in what it described as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria’s “desperate attempts” to disrupt the multi-billion-dollar facility.
