From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has declared an indefinite nationwide strike, directing all its members across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to down tools from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 29, 2025.
In a resolution passed at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Saturday, the union ordered members in field locations to stop work from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday and begin a 24-hour prayer vigil ahead of the strike.
“All field operations, including control room and outfield duties, must be suspended,” the union said in a communiqué. “No intervention will be allowed in field locations unless required for the safety of personnel and assets, with clearance from the National Secretariat.”
PENGASSAN further directed that gas and crude supply to the Dangote Refinery be cut off immediately, while International Oil Companies (IOCs) were asked to scale down production and halt supplies to the refinery and its petrochemical facilities.
The association explained that the directive was in protest against the alleged wrongful termination of 800 refinery workers who are members of PENGASSAN.
It urged members to pray for courage for leaders “to rein in Dangote and his co-travellers” and ensure respect for national laws, stressing that “no man is bigger than our country; an injury to one is an injury to all.”
The strike followed an earlier letter issued on Friday by PENGASSAN’s General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, instructing members, particularly in the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) branch, to halt gas supply to the $20 billion refinery, shut crude supply valves, and suspend loading operations for vessels headed for the facility.
Reacting, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, in a statement on Saturday, condemned the move, warning that it would cause “unquantifiable and irredeemable hardship” for Nigeria.
It described PENGASSAN’s action as “criminal, lawless, reckless and irresponsible,” calling on the Federal Government, security agencies, and the public to intervene.
The refinery further labelled the strike “economic sabotage against the Nigerian State” and urged authorities to call the union to order.
