Work has fully resumed at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) following the suspension of a one-day industrial strike by workers’ unions that briefly disrupted administrative activities across the commission’s offices nationwide.
The commission confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, noting that normal operations had resumed after successful negotiations between management and representatives of the workers’ unions.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that workers embarked on the strike following the collapse of talks with management over welfare concerns, administrative issues, institutional governance, promotions, and training opportunities.
The aggrieved workers had also raised concerns about the commission’s cost-of-collection structure, particularly the one per cent allocation to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which they argued had affected the upstream regulator’s financial and operational efficiency.
They further accused the commission of adopting an operator-style approach to regulation, which they said had created overlaps in responsibilities within the petroleum regulatory framework. The workers also demanded improved remuneration, better career progression, and enhanced staff development opportunities.
Despite the industrial action, the NUPRC maintained that oil and gas production activities were not affected, explaining that operational staff were exempted from the strike.
In its update, the commission said the strike was suspended after a resolution was reached during discussions between top management and the two in-house unions — the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
According to the statement signed by the Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the strike lasted about 12 hours and affected only administrative operations within the commission.
“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 statement said.
It added that regulatory activities in oil and gas facilities continued without interruption during the period of the strike.
The commission also dismissed reports suggesting that crude oil production was disrupted or that the dispute was linked to foreign training allowances, describing such claims as misleading.
NUPRC reaffirmed its commitment to addressing workers’ concerns and improving staff welfare, stating that it would continue to enhance the working environment in line with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.
“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,” the statement added.
The agency further assured staff that issues relating to welfare, training, and career development would be given priority moving forward.