Protest rocks University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun

The University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State has been rocked with protest over the non-implementation of industry standard salaries in line with the Act establishing the institution.

The protest which began in the early hours of Wednesday by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN and WAT members locked the gates of FUPRE in a massive protest, halting academic and administrative activities.

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This action reflects growing frustration among pengassan staff who have been victimised and sidelined for many years, FUPRE should received the oil and gas industry-standard salaries promised by the Act.

The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), established in 2007, is a specialized institution mandated by Section 1 of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (Establishment) Act, 2017, to train middle and high-level manpower for Nigeria’s vital oil and gas sector.

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Section 11 of the Act further stipulates that the conditions of service, including salaries, for FUPRE employees must align with those in the oil and gas industry.

This provision acknowledges the university’s unique role and the need to attract top talent to fulfill its mission.

Social media posts on X highlight PENGASSAN’s claims of anti-union practices and victimization by FUPRE’s management, further escalating tensions. The protest underscores the urgent need for the government to address this discrepancy to restore normalcy and support the university’s operations.

The non-implementation of Section 11 undermines employee welfare and jeopardizes FUPRE’s ability to deliver on its mandate.

The oil and gas industry offers competitive remuneration due to its specialized nature, and aligning FUPRE’s salaries with these standards is essential to retain skilled educators and researchers. Without this alignment, the university risks losing talent, which could compromise its ability to produce the high-caliber professionals needed for Nigeria’s energy sector, as outlined in Section 1 of the Act.

In 2022, the National Industrial Court ruled that while PENGASSAN may not statutorily unionize FUPRE’s senior staff, the university’s employees are entitled to the conditions of service specified in the Act.

This ruling reinforces the government’s legal obligation to ensure FUPRE staff receive oil and gas industry-standard salaries. Continued inaction not only violates the law but also threatens the stability of the university, potentially leading to further strikes and disruptions.

To prevent additional protests and uphold FUPRE’s mission, the Federal Government must act swiftly to honor the FUPRE Establishment Act, 2017.

We urge the government to adjust employee salaries to match oil and gas industry standards, engage in constructive dialogue with PENGASSAN, and establish a clear timeline for compliance.

By fulfilling these obligations, the government can restore trust, ensure FUPRE’s operational success, and demonstrate its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s oil and gas sector through quality education and manpower development.

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