A nationwide strike by Nigeria’s oil workers has forced the closure of the country’s oil regulator and state oil company, threatening fuel supply and trade across West Africa after the Dangote Refinery dismissed more than 800 unionised employees.
The walkout, which began on Monday, has escalated tensions in Africa’s largest oil producer. Analysts warn that if the dispute spreads to other unions, it could disrupt oil field operations, halt product flows and trigger fuel shortages at petrol stations.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) said the dismissals at the privately owned Dangote Refinery Africa’s largest, with a crude processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day took place on Thursday after workers unionised.
Dangote officials denied that, saying the move was part of a staff reorganisation and accused those affected of “acts of sabotage.”
The strike has already cut Nigeria’s electricity generation by more than 1,000 megawatts after fuel supply to power plants was disrupted, the grid operator said. It added that selective power cuts were introduced to prevent a nationwide blackout.
Government-brokered talks ended in a deadlock on Monday and are scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
“You have to reinstate these people. If you reinstate them tonight, we will call off our action tonight,” PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo said. “But unfortunately, that reinstatement did not happen and we were not able to reach conclusions on the subject.”
The refinery has obtained a court injunction barring the union from obstructing crude and gas supply. But PENGASSAN executives said they had not been formally notified.
“Court orders are served via bailiffs, not through social media,” union executive Lumumba Okugbawa said.
Since Monday, the strike has shut the offices of NNPC Ltd, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
NNPC said it was monitoring the situation and urged a peaceful resolution.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and remain engaged with relevant stakeholders to encourage a constructive resolution,” spokesperson Andy Odeh said.
