PENGASSAN Strike: Nationwide Blackout Looms as Power Stations Get Notice to Shut Down
- Nigerians may soon face a nationwide blackout, as the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) begins a nationwide strike
- The association has reportedly notified gas suppliers to halt supplies to thermal power stations nationwide
- PENGASSAN is protesting the sack of 800 workers by Dangote Refinery, a claim the mega refinery refuted
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Pascal Oparada, a reporter for Legit.ng, has over ten years of experience covering technology, energy, stocks, investment, and the economy.
Nigerians are bracing for a nationwide blackout beginning Monday, September 29, 2025, as power generation firms have raised the alarm over an imminent disruption of thermal plants.
The GenCos said they have received a notice from the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to shut down thermal stations.
Source: Getty Images
Gas workers to halt supplies to thermal stations
According to a Punch report, Joy Ogaji, the executive secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies (APGC), raised the alarm over the imminent nationwide blackout on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in a WhatsApp message.
Ogaji said that gas suppliers had issued notices to stop supply to thermal power stations following the nationwide strike by PENGASSAN.
“Good day, all. Thermal GenCos have received notification from our gas suppliers to shut down our thermal power plants following directives from PENGASSAN. The Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company has specifically requested GenCos to comply,” Ogaji said in the post.
Nigerians brace for blackouts
The APGC spokeswoman warned that the development could plunge Nigeria into darkness, as hydroelectric dams alone cannot carry the national grid.
“Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she said.
A prior report by Legit.ng disclosed that PENGASSAN announced that it would commence a nationwide strike on Monday, September 29, 2025, as it protests the dismissal of over 800 workers by Dangote Refinery.
Oil unions, Dangote Refinery in a face-off
The 650,000 bpd-capacity refinery has since denied the mass sack, insisting that it only restructured its workforce.
However, the oil workers directed all its members in all oil and gas infrastructure nationwide to commence a strike until the sack is reversed.
Meanwhile, PENGASSAN’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the $20 billion Dangote Refinery sent shockwaves through the energy market.
Fuel marketers warn of price hike
Marketers warned that cutting supply to the refinery would choke fuel distribution channels, forcing imports and disrupting pricing.
Chinedu Ukadike, spokesperson of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said the directive could trigger “unnecessary galloping inflation” unless the government intervenes.
He urged the Minister of Petroleum to cut short his foreign trip and mediate swiftly before the situation spirals out of control.
“This strike will destabilise the market. Fuel prices will rise, power shortages will worsen, and investor confidence will erode,” Ukadike warned.
Experts ask for urgent intervention
Experts have warned that the action could disrupt crude production, fuel supply, gas distribution, and electricity generation.
With the shutdown of thermal stations, which account for over 70% of Nigeria’s electricity supply, energy experts say the shutdown could trigger widespread outages, stretch hydropower plants and increase the risk of a nationwide system collapse.
Source: UGC
The parties should do everything in their power to avert the disruption of the power supply. The Nigerian economy is already fragile enough. Any industrial action could damage several sectors, Adeola Yusuf, energy policy analyst and Team Lead at Platforms Africa, told Legit.ng on a call.
Dangote fuel distribution fails to lower petrol prices
Legit.ng earlier reported that one week after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced the commencement of its direct petrol distribution with free delivery, Nigerians have yet to feel the impact.
The refinery had pegged pump prices at N841 per litre in Lagos and neighbouring Southwest states, and N851 in Abuja, Delta, Rivers, Edo, and Kwara.
However, a market survey revealed that motorists are still buying fuel at higher prices in several states, with rates ranging from N865 to N895 per litre.
Source: Legit.ng
