Nigerians may face tougher days ahead as the nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, beginning from today (Monday), threatens to unleash a twin blow of soaring petrol prices and widespread electricity blackouts.
The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices.
Compounding the crisis, power generation companies have announced a complete shutdown of all thermal plants, a direct fallout of the strike. With thermal stations producing more than 70 per cent of Nigeria’s power supply, the development threatens to plunge the nation into darkness, crippling economic activities and plunging millions of households and businesses into deeper strain—unless the Federal Government intervenes.
On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.
The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil. The emergency decision followed the sack of over 800 Nigerian workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.
“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.”
Marketers, GenCos warn
Reacting to the directive, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria warned that the disruption could destabilise fuel prices, erode investment confidence, and worsen Nigeria’s fragile electricity supply.
“There is no market stability and no return on investment,” IPMAN National Publicity Officer Chinedu Ukadike said. “Disruption of crude and gas supply will trigger fuel price hikes and worsen power shortages.”
He added, “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 unless the Federal Government acts swiftly, the crisis could spiral into higher pump prices and “unnecessary galloping inflation” that would further squeeze 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.
