Workers of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) staged a protest early Tuesday morning, barricading the entrance to the company’s Broad Street office in Lagos.
The demonstration, organised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), disrupted activities in the area and caused temporary traffic congestion as onlookers gathered near the premises. Protesters initially blocked full access to the building, briefly allowing some employees to enter with their vehicles before reversing the decision and denying vehicular entry entirely — including to top company officials.
According to a strike notice obtained by The Eagle Online, the workers accused SNEPCo’s leadership of engaging in discriminatory pay practices against Nigerian employees and implementing what they described as “modern-day slavery.” They also criticised the company’s application of its global salary structure in Nigeria without accommodating local economic realities, alleging that the so-called “Best-in-Basin” cost-cutting policy has negatively impacted staff welfare and operations.
Employees cited the company’s limited participation in the Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) in February 2026 as evidence of the cost-reduction drive. Unlike other industry players, SNEPCo did not sponsor the event and reportedly sent only a few delegates, notifying organisers of the change shortly before the summit. In contrast, companies such as Nigeria LNG Limited, TotalEnergies Nigeria, and Chevron Nigeria Limited participated fully.
Among other grievances, staff members argued that allowances are no longer reflective of current market conditions. They highlighted the company’s car loan provision, claiming that the amount offered is insufficient given prevailing economic realities. One employee remarked that the sum provided would be inadequate to purchase even a modest vehicle under current market prices.
Protesters further alleged deteriorating working conditions, particularly for employees classified as senior Nigerian staff, claiming that expatriates are increasingly occupying roles previously held by Nigerians. They also linked workplace stress, financial strain, and repeated organisational restructuring to cases of non-accidental deaths among colleagues.
SNEPCo recently underwent significant divestment in Nigeria, with Shell Nigeria Gas now its primary focus. The company’s remaining subsidiaries, All On and Daystar Power, also operate largely from Lagos, supporting energy development through financing and distributed power solutions.
According to protesting workers, the decision to barricade the office followed repeated unsuccessful attempts to engage management on their concerns. Some employees have called for government intervention, alleging that management feels insulated from accountability and may be fostering division among staff.
They also claimed that hybrid work arrangements have made it more difficult for employees to mobilise collectively and that internal actions are often prevented from gaining public attention.
As of press time, efforts to obtain an official response from SNEPCo were unsuccessful.
