PENGASSAN strike threatens Nigeria’s electricity as gas supply halt could shut thermal power plants, risking a nationwide blackout from Monday

PENGASSAN has triggered fears of a nationwide blackout as power generation companies warn of an imminent shutdown of thermal plants.

Also read: PENGASSAN threatens Dangote Refinery over mass sackings

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria announced a strike starting Monday to protest the dismissal of over 800 workers at Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

Joy Ogaji, Executive Secretary of the Association of Power Generating Companies, revealed in a message on Sunday that gas suppliers had been instructed to halt supply to thermal power stations in line with PENGASSAN’s directives.

“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,” she stated.

Ogaji warned that relying solely on hydroelectric dams would be insufficient to sustain the national grid. “Please all be notified of the imminent darkness, as hydros alone cannot sustain the system,” she added.

PENGASSAN’s action comes after its emergency National Executive Council meeting on Saturday, where it directed members across all oil and gas installations to down tools until the sacked workers are reinstated.

Industry experts caution that the shutdown could cripple electricity generation, worsen fuel supply, and increase the risk of a nationwide system collapse.

With thermal stations supplying over 70 per cent of Nigeria’s electricity, the strike may trigger widespread outages and place hydro plants under extreme pressure.

Also read: Dangote Refinery lays off Nigerian workers within 24 hours of joining PENGASSAN

The looming PENGASSAN strike underscores the fragile state of Nigeria’s power infrastructure and its vulnerability to industrial action within the oil and gas sector.