The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Monday barricaded the Abuja headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as a nationwide strike commenced.

Union members, protesting the alleged illegal dismissal of more than 800 Nigerian workers by the Dangote Refinery, blocked entrances to the offices while chanting solidarity songs. Similar scenes were reported at other key oil and gas locations across the country.

Dangote Refinery management has yet to comment on the dismissals.

In a circular issued after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, 27 September, and signed by General Secretary Lumumba Okugbawa, PENGASSAN accused the refinery of breaching Nigeria’s labour laws, the Constitution, and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union.

The union further alleged that the refinery had replaced the dismissed staff with “over 2,000 Indians,” describing the move as “an affront to Nigerian workers.”

PENGASSAN directed members in field locations to withdraw services from 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, 28 September, and ordered a total nationwide shutdown from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, 29 September.

“All PENGASSAN members working in field locations are to withdraw services effective 06:00hrs on Sunday, 28 September 2025, and commence 24-hour prayers. This includes all control room operations, panel operations, and outfield personnel,” the circular stated.

It added: “All PENGASSAN members across all offices, companies, institutions, and agencies should withdraw all services effective 00:01 on Monday, 29 September 2025.”