From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
Operations at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) have been paralysed nationwide following an indefinite strike declared by oil workers under the umbrella of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The industrial action, which began on Monday, has forced a complete shutdown of activities at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja and all its field offices across the country, effectively halting regulatory functions in Nigeria’s upstream oil sector.
Confirming the development, the Spokesman of the Commission, Eniola Akinkuotu, said: “It is true that some administrative activities were affected today due to industrial action taken by the unions. However, this has not in anyway impacted activities in oil and gas facilities or production in general.
“The top management of the Commission is meeting with the unions in order to put an end to the strike and ultimately restore normalcy”.
The workers are protesting a dispute with management over staff training programmes, particularly the shift from overseas capacity-building initiatives to locally organised training.
A source within the commission, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of victimisation, confirmed that the strike was triggered by disagreements over how training opportunities are being handled.
According to the source, union members rejected management’s directive that certain technical training, especially those tied to Factory Acceptance Tests for Positive Displacement (PD) meters, should be conducted within Nigeria rather than abroad.
“The shutdown affects both headquarters and field operations nationwide. The disagreement centres on foreign training programmes, and workers are not comfortable with the new approach,” the source said.
Management, on its part, is understood to be pushing for local training as a cost-saving measure and a strategy to build in-country technical capacity. However, the workers argue that some specialised programmes require international exposure and facilities not readily available domestically.
As the standoff escalated, negotiations between the union and management reportedly broke down, prompting the declaration of an indefinite strike.
Efforts to get an official response from the commission were unsuccessful as of press time. Meanwhile, both parties have moved to de-escalate tensions, with representatives currently engaged in high-level talks at the office of the National Security Adviser.
Industry observers warn that a prolonged shutdown of the regulator could disrupt critical approvals, inspections, and oversight functions in the upstream sector, potentially affecting oil production timelines and investor confidence.
The outcome of the ongoing negotiations is being closely watched, with expectations that a resolution may be reached soon to restore operations at the commission.
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