● Upstream regulator grounded as workers reject management’s “local training only” policy ● ● NSA office mediates today
Nigeria’s upstream oil regulator has been shut down. Workers of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, under PENGASSAN, began an indefinite nationwide strike Monday, closing all offices from Abuja headquarters to field locations.
The action has grounded administrative and operational functions of the commission that oversees oil production, licensing, and metering for Africa’s largest crude exporter.
—Trigger: “Local training vs Overseas training” clash—
Sources said the strike followed collapsed negotiations over staff members’ capacity-building.
Management insists training, including Factory Acceptance Test for Positive Displacement, PD, Meters, must be done locally to cut costs and build Nigerian institutional capacity.
Workers rejected the stance, demanding foreign training programmes continue.
A security source confirmed both parties are meeting at the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, with a resolution expected today.
—Impact: Regulator paralysed—
With NUPRC offices shut nationwide, approvals, data validation, metering oversight, and other upstream regulatory activities are on hold.
The shutdown comes as Nigeria battles oil theft, production quotas, and revenue targets.
PENGASSAN’s move escalates tensions between labour and management at a critical time for oil sector reforms.
