ABUJA – The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has assured stakeholders that Nigeria’s oil and gas production remains unaffected despite an ongoing industrial action by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
The commission said while the strike disrupted some administrative functions, operations at oil and gas facilities across the country have continued unhindered.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Head of Media and Strategic Communications, Eniola Akinkuotu, the regulator disclosed that management was actively engaging with union representatives to resolve the dispute and restore normalcy.
“It is true that some administrative activities were affected today due to industrial action taken by the unions. However, this has not in any way impacted activities in oil and gas facilities or production in general,” the statement said.
The development comes amid concerns over the potential impact of labour unrest on Nigeria’s petroleum industry, a critical source of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.
According to the commission, ongoing discussions are aimed at reaching an amicable resolution that addresses the concerns of workers while sustaining operational efficiency within the organisation.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the disagreement centres on staff training arrangements. NUPRC has reportedly been advocating for specialised training programmes, including Factory Acceptance Tests for Positive Displacement meters, to be conducted within Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen local capacity, reduce costs and deepen knowledge transfer.
However, some workers are said to prefer overseas training options, leading to disagreements over the implementation of the policy.
The commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring stability in the upstream petroleum sector and maintaining uninterrupted oil and gas production while negotiations with the union continue.
Industry observers note that the regulator’s emphasis on local training aligns with broader government efforts to promote capacity development and reduce dependence on foreign expertise in the oil and gas industry.
