Nigeria is facing a significant industrial crisis as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has commenced an indefinite nationwide strike against the Dangote Petroleum Refinery. The strike, which took effect from Sunday, September 28, 2025, with a shutdown of field operations, escalated to a full nationwide withdrawal of services across offices, companies, institutions, and agencies from Monday, September 29, 2025. This action is a direct protest against the alleged mass dismissal of over 800 Nigerian workers by the refinery, which PENGASSAN insists are unlawful terminations for joining the association and a violation of Nigeria's labor laws, constitution, and international labor conventions.

PENGASSAN's directive outlined a comprehensive shutdown, instructing all members in control rooms, panels, and field operations to withdraw services from 06:00hrs on Sunday, September 28, accompanied by a 24-hour prayer session. Members in offices and agencies were mandated to cease work from 00:01 am on Monday, September 29. A critical component of the strike includes an immediate suspension of crude oil and gas supply to the Dangote Refinery and petrochemical facilities, with all International Oil Company (IOC) branches ordered to ramp down gas production and supply. The union also alleged that the dismissed Nigerian employees had been replaced with over 2,000 foreign workers from India, demanding the immediate reinstatement of all sacked staff.

In response, Dangote Refinery confirmed the dismissal of some workers but maintained that the number affected was small and part of a