Enhancing Economic Equity: Unionization's Role in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Workforce

Abstract

The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act 2010, aims to promote the patronage of Nigerian products and services by industry operators. The NUPENG and PENGASSAN oil unions in Nigeria have an impact on labour regimes and union power. Local employees in the oil and gas sector are heavily supported by unions. This study investigates the impact of unionization on economic equity within Nigeria's oil and gas workforce. Qualitative research design was adopted. The result of the findings show that Higher Wages and Better Benefits and Improved Working Conditions are among the leading benefits of unionization with mean values of 4.9 and 4.8 respectively. A positive correlation relationship exists between union and wages of labourers/staff, with result of coefficient of determination (R2) given as 0.622983 which implies that 62.37% of the stability of labourers’ wages is explained as a result of union strength. An authoritarian work environment and “Right-to-work” laws are among the barriers of joining unions by staff members of organizations. The research recommends strengthening union capacity, promoting collaboration, policy reforms, and local content in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, improving legislation, supporting SMEs, and promoting transparency and accountability. Keywords: Gas Industry, Industry operators, Oil and Gas workforce, Nigeria Oil, Unionization