Work has resumed fully at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission after workers suspended the one-day strike that shut the commission’s offices nationwide on Monday over welfare and administrative concerns.
- +Work resumes as NUPRC workers suspend strike
The commission disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The commission disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The PUNCH had reported earlier that workers had downed tools following the collapse of negotiations between staff representatives and management over issues bordering on institutional governance, staff welfare, promotions and training opportunities.
Among their demands were a review of the current cost-of-collection structure, particularly the one per cent allocation to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which the workers argued had weakened the upstream regulator’s operational efficiency and financial capacity.
The aggrieved workers also accused the commission of adopting an operator-style approach to regulation that created overlaps in responsibilities within the broader petroleum regulatory framework.
They further demanded remuneration comparable to what obtains across the oil and gas industry and expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as inadequate attention to staff development, career progression and capacity building.
Although the strike led to the closure of NUPRC offices nationwide, the commission had maintained that oil and gas production activities were not affected, noting that operational staff were exempted from the industrial action.
Providing an update on Tuesday, the NUPRC said the strike had been suspended following successful discussions between its management and the workers’ unions.
In a statement signed by the NUPRC Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the commission said, “Work has fully resumed at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission following the suspension of the one-day strike called by workers’ unions.
The industrial action was called off on the night of June 1, 2026, after successful negotiations between the top management of the NUPRC and the two in-house unions – the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers.”
According to the commission, the industrial action lasted only 12 hours and had no impact on regulatory oversight of oil and gas facilities.
“The strike, which lasted for 12 hours, affected only administrative work while regulatory activities in oil and gas facilities remained unaffected,” the statement noted.
The NUPRC also dismissed reports suggesting that crude oil production was disrupted by the strike or that the dispute was primarily about foreign training opportunities.
“The commission, therefore, calls on members of the public to disregard false reports on crude oil production disruptions as well as misleading publications stating that the disagreement centred on foreign training,” Akinkuotu stated.
The regulator further pledged to address workers’ concerns and improve staff welfare and development.
“Lastly, the NUPRC promised to improve the operating environment of its workforce and prioritise staff development in line with the Petroleum Industry Act,” the statement added.
