Work activities have resumed at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission after staff called off their brief industrial action that had disrupted administrative operations across its offices nationwide.
The workers suspended the one-day strike following successful negotiations between management and the in-house unions, bringing an end to tensions that had escalated over welfare and institutional concerns.
The dispute, which involved members of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, initially led to a shutdown of the commission’s offices on Monday after talks with management broke down.
At the centre of the disagreement were issues such as staff welfare, promotion processes, training opportunities, and broader concerns about governance within the regulatory system. Workers also faulted aspects of the commission’s cost-of-collection framework, especially the one per cent allocation to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which they argued was affecting operational efficiency.
They further accused the commission of overlapping regulatory roles and adopting an operator-style approach that, according to them, blurred institutional boundaries within the oil and gas sector. The staff also demanded improved remuneration comparable to industry standards, alongside stronger investment in capacity building and career development.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission confirmed that normal operations had resumed after the strike was suspended. The commission said the action lasted only about 12 hours and did not disrupt oil and gas production activities.
According to the statement signed by its Head of Media and Corporate Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the unions agreed to call off the strike after fruitful engagements with management on June 1, 2026.
The regulator stressed that while administrative activities were briefly affected, regulatory oversight of petroleum operations remained fully functional throughout the period of the strike.
It also dismissed reports linking the industrial action to disruptions in crude oil production or claims that the dispute was centred on foreign training allowances, describing such reports as inaccurate.
The commission added that it remains committed to addressing staff concerns, improving welfare conditions, and strengthening professional development in line with the Petroleum Industry Act.