NUPRC Workers Call Off Strike, Resume Operations Nationwide

Operations have fully resumed at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) following the suspension of a nationwide strike by its workers that temporarily shut administrative offices across the country.

According to official information released by the commission on Tuesday, the industrial action was called off after productive negotiations between NUPRC management and the workers’ unions. The strike, which began on June 1, had disrupted administrative activities nationwide amid disagreements over staff welfare, institutional governance, promotions, training opportunities, and other workplace concerns.

The dispute stemmed from unresolved issues between management and staff representatives, who had raised concerns over welfare packages, career advancement, capacity development, and the commission’s operational structure. Workers also sought a review of the existing cost-of-collection framework, arguing that the current allocation arrangement within the petroleum regulatory system had affected the commission’s financial strength and operational effectiveness.

In addition, employees expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as overlapping responsibilities within the industry’s regulatory framework and called for compensation packages comparable to those obtainable in the wider oil and gas sector. Concerns were also raised regarding staff development programmes and opportunities for professional growth.

Providing an update on the resolution of the dispute, the commission disclosed that discussions with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) resulted in the suspension of the strike.

The commission stated that the industrial action lasted approximately 12 hours and was limited to administrative functions, noting that regulatory oversight and operational activities within oil and gas facilities continued uninterrupted throughout the period.

NUPRC also dismissed reports suggesting that the strike affected crude oil production across the country. The regulator explained that operational personnel were exempted from the action, ensuring that oil and gas production activities proceeded without disruption despite the temporary shutdown of administrative offices.

Furthermore, the commission refuted claims that the disagreement was primarily linked to foreign training opportunities, describing such reports as inaccurate and misleading.

It reassured stakeholders that engagement with the workers and their unions would continue, while pledging to address concerns raised during the negotiations. The commission also reaffirmed its commitment to improving working conditions, enhancing staff development initiatives, and strengthening workforce capacity in line with the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act.