Oil Workers’ Union Begins Nationwide Strike Today

Nigerians may face tougher days ahead as the nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) kicks off today, Monday, September 29, 2025, threatening a twin blow of soaring petrol prices and widespread electricity blackouts.

The union has directed its members to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a move that has sent shockwaves across the energy sector. Oil marketers have already warned that the disruption could choke supply in the domestic market, pushing up demand and fuel prices.

In a related twist, power generation companies (GenCos) announced a complete shutdown of thermal plants—responsible for more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity supply. The development, tied to the strike, is expected to plunge large parts of the country into darkness, crippling economic activities and worsening pressure on households and businesses unless the Federal Government swiftly intervenes.

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PENGASSAN announced the strike on Sunday following the sack of more than 800 Nigerian workers at the Dangote refinery. The union accused the company of breaching labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by dismissing workers for joining the union and replacing them with foreigners.

“All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the union said in a resolution signed by its General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa. It also accused the company of using military personnel to block members from cutting gas supplies.

PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo, speaking on Channels Television, confirmed that the strike had already shut down the refinery and fertiliser plant, warning there would be no retreat unless the dismissed workers were reinstated.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) warned that the directive could destabilise fuel prices, erode investor confidence, and worsen Nigeria’s fragile electricity supply. “Disruption of crude and gas supply will trigger fuel price hikes and worsen power shortages,” IPMAN spokesperson Chinedu Ukadike said.

Similarly, the Association of Power Generation Companies raised the alarm that thermal GenCos had received shutdown notices from gas suppliers. “Please all be notified of imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” Executive Secretary Joy Ogaji warned.

Meanwhile, reactions remain divided. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) threw its weight behind PENGASSAN, demanding reinstatement of all sacked workers and an independent probe. On the other hand, consumer groups accused the oil workers of “playing politics” with Nigeria’s fragile energy sector, warning that the strike could plunge the nation back into scarcity and economic instability.

Dangote Group, in a swift response, described the strike order as “reckless, lawless and dangerous,” insisting that the dismissals were based on safety and efficiency issues, not anti-union victimisation. The company stressed that over 3,000 Nigerians remain employed at the facility.

With the refinery and thermal plants already affected, analysts warn that prolonged industrial action could destabilise fuel supplies, trigger blackouts, and stoke inflationary pressures. An emergency meeting convened today by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, may decide whether dialogue can restore calm, or if Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis.

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