The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday commenced an indefinite nationwide strike, effectively shutting down operations at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The strike action, which began early Monday morning, saw workers across various facilities and offices of the three major institutions down tools in compliance with directives from PENGASSAN’s national leadership.
Operations Halted Nationwide
Reports from across the country confirm that key offices and operational facilities, including refineries, regulatory field offices, and administrative headquarters, have been shut.
Activities at critical oil and gas installations were also disrupted as unionized staff withdrew their services.
PENGASSAN stated that the industrial action follows unresolved issues surrounding staff welfare, internal governance, and recruitment practices within the affected agencies.
Union’s Demands
In a statement issued by the union, PENGASSAN alleged that the management of the agencies has engaged in unfair labor practices and has failed to address repeated concerns over:
* The welfare and career progression of staff
* The recruitment of external candidates into senior roles without proper consultation
* Alleged interference with union activities and processes
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The union has insisted that its members will not return to work until all outstanding issues are addressed through proper engagement and negotiation with relevant authorities.
Previous Actions
The latest development follows similar action earlier this year when PENGASSAN shut down operations at Newcross Exploration and Production Limited in Rivers State over the suspension of its branch executives. That action was only called off after management reversed the suspensions and agreed to negotiate with the union.
Impact on the Oil and Gas Sector
The ongoing strike is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s petroleum sector, particularly in regulatory oversight, distribution, and operational management.
Industry analysts warn that a prolonged shutdown could affect fuel supply, delay licensing and project approvals, and disrupt investment flow into the sector.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the management of NNPC, NUPRC, or NMDPRA. Efforts to reach their spokespersons were unsuccessful.
