Nigeria’s daily oil output plunged by 16% during a brief nationwide strike by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The strike, which began on September 28, 2025, was called off on Wednesday after government-mediated talks with Dangote Refinery.
The strike resulted in a loss of approximately 283,000 barrels of oil per day, representing 16% of national output. Gas output dropped by 1.7 billion standard cubic feet per day, accounting for 30% of marketed gas. Over 1,200 megawatts of power generation was also knocked out, representing 20% of national power supply.
According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), key facilities shuttered during the action included the Shell-operated Bonga floating production unit and the Oben gas plant, while the restart of Nigeria LNG’s Train 5 and 6 was delayed, and midstream networks were disrupted. “Within the first 24 hours of the strike, production deferments stood at approximately 283 kbopd of oil, 1.7 bscfd of gas, and over 1,200 MW of power generation impact,” NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, stated.
The strike was triggered by the dismissal of about 800 unionised staff at the Dangote Refinery. However, the Dangote Group dismissed reports of mass staff layoffs, clarifying that the ongoing reorganisation at its Petroleum Refinery affects only a small number of employees and is aimed at safeguarding operations and preventing sabotage.
NNPCL warned of significant revenue losses from missed crude liftings and reduced gas sales. “Significant revenue losses are projected at current deferment levels, driven by missed liftings and gas sales. Cashflow pressures are immediate and compounding,” Ojulari said.
The strike was suspended after negotiations brokered by the federal government, easing immediate supply concerns, though NNPCL stressed that systemic vulnerabilities remain.
