Protesting workers have shut down the Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG) facility in the Ota area of Ogun State
The facility, which supplies gas to companies in Ota and Agbara, was closed on Saturday, according to a report by The Eagle Online.
Despite the deployment of operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) at the request of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo), workers continued to barricade the facility’s entrance on Sunday.
The workers, coordinated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), are protesting what they describe as “modern day slavery” by SNEPCo management.
Speaking with the online newspaper, a staff member accused the company of benchmarking employee pay against sectors outside the oil and gas industry, which they argue is unfair. When asked about the outcome of a meeting with management after a protest at SNEPCo headquarters on March 3, 2026, the union leader said no progress was made.
“Rather than listening to workers, the company is banking on the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria as it is now reinvesting in the country,” the worker said.
Eyewitnesses reported traffic disruption in the area as the protest unfolded, with workers initially allowing some vehicles in before barring all entry, including that of top SNEPCo officials.
The workers accused SNEPco management of “practicing modern day slavery, discriminating in pay against Nigerian staff, applying a global pay policy without accounting for local conditions, and offering “Best-in-Basin” allowances that are insufficient, such as a N1 million car grant, which staff say is inadequate for current market conditions.
They alleged poor conditions for senior Nigerian staff (SNSS), while expatriates increasingly occupy positions previously held by Nigerians.
The angry workers also cited issues such as heavy workloads, stress, debt burden, and unending reorganizations contributing to multiple Non-Accidental Deaths (NAD) among staff.
SNEPCo has reportedly divested major operations in Nigeria, leaving SNG as its main focus, with other subsidiaries like AllOn and Daystar primarily operating from Lagos.
Staff believe government intervention is necessary, arguing that management feels unaccountable and capable of dividing the workforce.
They also noted that work-from-home policies and limited publicity of staff actions have worked in favor of management in controlling employee protests.
Attempts to reach SNEPCo for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.
