Workers of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission commenced an indefinite nationwide strike on Monday over unresolved welfare concerns, leading to the closure of the commission’s offices across the country.

Sources, however, indicated that operational personnel were exempted from the industrial action for now, pending the outcome of ongoing negotiations between the parties, according

The strike followed the inability of union representatives and senior management officials to reach an agreement on a range of welfare and administrative issues affecting workers.

It was gathered that several rounds of negotiations between staff representatives and management over lingering industrial concerns, including institutional governance, employee welfare, promotions and access to training opportunities, failed to produce a resolution, leading workers to embark on the strike.

Sources further disclosed that the protesting employees are seeking a review of the existing cost-of-collection framework, with particular concern over the one per cent allocation granted to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The workers argued that the current arrangement has eroded the upstream regulator’s financial strength and undermined its ability to effectively carry out its mandate.

They also alleged that the commission has increasingly adopted an operator-driven approach to regulation, a development they said has resulted in overlaps of functions and blurred responsibilities within the wider petroleum regulatory ecosystem.

Among their demands, the workers are calling for a remuneration structure that aligns with prevailing standards in the oil and gas industry.

The aggrieved employees also accused the commission’s management of paying inadequate attention to staff development, career advancement and capacity-building opportunities for both junior and senior personnel.

Sources further indicated that concerns over staff training contributed to the industrial action, particularly the commission’s preference for conducting capacity-building programmes locally rather than sponsoring overseas training initiatives.

The NUPRC confirmed the industrial action when contacted, but assured stakeholders that the strike would not disrupt the country’s energy security or affect critical operations in the sector.