The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) says industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has slashed electricity generation by more than 1,100 megawatts (MW), heightening pressure on the national grid.
In a statement on Tuesday, NISO said available generation dropped from over 4,300MW in the early hours of Sept. 28 to about 3,200MW at its lowest point.
The disruption, caused by gas supply shortages linked to PENGASSAN’s ongoing strike against Dangote Refinery, forced emergency interventions to avert a nationwide blackout.
According to the agency, measures included ramping up hydropower output by more than 400MW, real-time load adjustments, voltage and frequency support, and selective load shedding to preserve grid stability.
“These timely actions enabled us and the National Control Centre to sustain operational security and maintain supply to critical loads,” NISO said.
The labour dispute stems from Dangote Refinery’s alleged dismissal of more than 800 workers who joined PENGASSAN.
The union has since directed its members nationwide to withdraw services, while the Federal Government has intervened with talks chaired by Finance Minister Wale Edun.
The meeting also addressed concerns over the refinery’s suspension of its Naira-for-Crude oil arrangement.
NISO reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining grid reliability, even as it warned that sustained disruptions in gas supply could further strain the nation’s fragile power system.
