Tensions rise in Nigeria’s oil sector as PENGASSAN grounds NUPRC activities over training disagreement.

Nigeria’s upstream oil regulator has been shut down as workers of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), under the umbrella of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday.

The industrial action led to the closure of all NUPRC offices across the country, including its headquarters in Abuja and field offices.
The strike has halted both administrative and operational activities of the commission, which is responsible for overseeing oil production, licensing, and metering in Africa’s largest crude oil-producing nation.
Dispute Over Training Policy
Sources disclosed that the strike followed a breakdown in negotiations concerning staff capacity-building programmes.
According to the sources, NUPRC management has maintained that training programmes, including Factory Acceptance Tests for Positive Displacement (PD) Meters, should be conducted locally. The management reportedly argued that the move would reduce costs and strengthen local institutional capacity.
However, workers opposed the decision and insisted that overseas training programmes should continue.
A security source confirmed that representatives of both parties were meeting at the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), with expectations that a resolution could be reached later on Monday.
Regulatory Activities Suspended
With NUPRC offices closed nationwide, several key regulatory functions, including approvals, data validation, metering supervision, and other upstream petroleum regulatory activities, have been suspended.
The shutdown comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with oil theft, production quota challenges, and efforts to meet revenue targets.
PENGASSAN’s action is expected to further heighten tensions between labour and management during a crucial period for reforms in the nation’s oil and gas sector.