The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun, Delta State, Prof. Ezekiel Agbalagba, at the weekend, addressed the protest at the institution by members of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), which shut down activities for a few days.

In a statement, he stressed that the court had barred PENGASSAN and NUPENG from unionizing senior staff at FUPRE.

According to the VC, in 2021, PENGASSAN instituted a suit at the National Industrial Court, Abuja, against ASUU, SSANU, NAAT, FUPRE, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He stated that based on Section 11 of the FUPRE Establishment Act, 2017, PENGASSAN claimed that it was the rightful union to represent senior staff members of the university. Section 11 states that the Conditions of Service of university employees should align with those in the Oil and Gas industry to attract top talent.

He stressed that despite the defendants not filing any defense, the court, in a landmark judgment delivered by Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip on 30th March 2022, ruled decisively that PENGASSAN is not entitled to unionize senior staff at FUPRE.

The VC stated that the court emphasized that the Trade Unions Act governs union recognition in tertiary institutions, not the Conditions of Service. It further clarified that the supervisory responsibility for the university lies with the Minister of Education, not the Minister of Petroleum, and that the National Universities Commission (NUC) should provide for the Conditions of Service.

The statement read in part: “Following this judgment, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment formally confirmed that PENGASSAN cannot legally unionize senior staff in a university setting in accordance with the Trade Union Act Cap 114 LFN 2004.

“In furtherance of this position, the FUPRE Governing Council, at its 56th Regular Meeting on 16th June 2023, and again at its 59th Meeting on 25th October 2024, unanimously reaffirmed the non-recognition of PENGASSAN and NUPENG as staff unions. The Council directed Management to immediately cease all check-off dues deductions for purported union members. In line with these decisions, the University Management issued official notifications to the concerned unions and engaged their representatives to explain the legal and institutional implications of the Council’s resolutions. Despite the clear and binding 2022 court judgment, which has not been appealed or overturned, PENGASSAN filed a fresh suit (NICN/ASB/38/2024) at the National Industrial Court, Asaba Division.

“The matter is currently scheduled for hearing on the 20th of November, 2025. The university remains fully committed to upholding the 2022 National Industrial Court ruling and expects all parties, including PENGASSAN, to respect judicial processes,” the VC stated.

He stated that it was therefore improper and potentially contemptuous for PENGASSAN to resort to self-help actions, such as blocking university entrances while the matter is before the courts.

He urged all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and await the final judicial determination.

The VC also dismissed reports of non-payment of earned allowances at FUPRE, stressing that the university has no intention whatsoever to withhold any allowances due to eligible staff. (The Guardian)