From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The leadership of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGANSSAN) has expressed deep concern over provisions contained in the recently signed Executive Order 9 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that certain clauses could undermine the stability of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
In a statement issued by the association during its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, PENGANSSAN described the Executive Order as a “direct attack” on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and emphasized that any amendments to the law should follow due legislative process through the National Assembly.
Speaking to journalists, the President of PENGANSSAN, Comrade Festus Osifo, who also doubles as the National President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the union had taken a proactive step by engaging the Presidential Implementation Committee on Executive Order 9 on Wednesday, 25th February 2026.
“From our assessment, the provisions of this order are a direct attack on the PIA. If the government really wants to amend the laws, it should send them to the National Assembly for stakeholders to debate. The way this executive order was issued could undermine the stability we currently enjoy in the oil and gas industry,” Osifo stated.
He noted that the directive mandating that 30 per cent of profit oil from Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) be remitted directly to the Federation Account could destabilize operations at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and jeopardize the welfare of workers.
“That 30 per cent of profit oil amounts to between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent of total revenue. It funds the management fee used to pay salaries for those administering the PSCs. There are comrades interfacing daily with Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and other operators to ensure Nigeria is not shortchanged. How will their salaries be paid?” Osifo asked.
He stressed that PENGANSSAN is a responsible and reasonable union. “Normally, when such issues arise, we hold a press conference to draw the government’s attention, followed by engagements. That is exactly what we have been doing. We engaged on Sunday and Monday. We will continue with a meeting of the Presidential Implementation Committee on Executive Order 9 on Wednesday to raise our concerns,” he explained.
The union leader further highlighted that PENGANSSAN’s focus is not political but centered on protecting members, the industry, and Nigerians at large. “For us, there is no hidden agenda. We don’t politicize issues. We focus first on how they affect our members, then the industry, and Nigerians at large. From the engagements so far, there are green lights, and we believe we can close the gap,” he said.
Osifo painted a stark picture of the broader economic context, arguing that claims of reduced inflation do not reflect the everyday realities faced by Nigerians. “When they say inflation is reducing, it’s a year-on-year comparison. If a product moves from N5,000 to N10,000, and the next year it rises to N10,200, they celebrate that inflation has dropped. But the real issue is that prices have already doubled. Nigerians are still feeling the heat in their pockets,” he lamented.
He also expressed concern that oil and gas workers carry social responsibilities beyond their immediate families. “We are responsible for our communities and villages. When anything goes wrong, we are the first point of call. So when the economy works, it must work for every individual,” Osifo noted.
Addressing national security challenges, the PENGANSSAN President stressed the need for strategic investment in technology and adequate funding to curb terrorism and criminal activities across the country. “We are in a state of emergency in terms of insecurity. Reduce the plenty of talk and focus on solutions. Devote more funds to security. Nigerian lives must count,” he said.
He further called on both federal and state governments to prioritize power supply and infrastructure, describing electricity as “the backbone of development.” “Now that power generation has been decentralised and moved to the concurrent list, state governments have no excuses. Electricity must be resolved if Nigeria wants to grow in leaps and bounds,” Osifo emphasized.
On lingering labor disputes at the Dangote Group refinery, he urged immediate intervention by the Federal Ministry of Labour and security agencies. “These issues should have been resolved by now. Efforts must be intensified as soon as possible,” he said.
Osifo concluded by stressing that PENGANSSAN remains committed to safeguarding jobs and ensuring stability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector through sustained dialogue and engagement with government authorities.