Marketers fear fuel price hike as PENGASSAN strike begins
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 It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.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.”
The union also accused military personnel of blocking its members from cutting gas supplies to the facility. Speaking on Channels Television on Sunday, PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo confirmed that the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, had summoned a meeting between both parties for Monday.
Osifo disclosed that the strike directive had already forced a total shutdown of the refinery and fertiliser plant, though the diesel plant was still operating as of Sunday evening. He warned that there would be no retreat unless the dismissed workers were reinstated. “We will not surrender unless the affected workers are re-employed by Dangote,” Osifo declared.
