Labour unions kick against NNPCL’s plan to engage outsiders for top posts
Labour unions have kicked against a purported plan by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, to engage outsiders for top posts in the company, ignoring experienced hands from within.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, in a protest letter to the company’s management, said they would shut down operations if the company ignore their warnings.
The letter, dated April 4, 2025, was signed by the Group Executive Secretary of PENGASSAN, Amaoge Chukwudi and Chairman, Solomon Orieji; and the GEC Secretary, NUPENG, Paulosa Paulosa, and Chairman, Baba Kaumi.
“We extend our warm congratulations to the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and Board Members of NNPC Limited. We wish them success in their new roles and pray for excellence in their assignments.
“However, we must draw urgent attention to a matter of serious concern to avert avoidable consequences.
“Based on past experiences, we have observed a recurring trend whenever a new GCEO is appointed externally – the temptation to fill top management positions with external recruitment rather than promoting staff members from within NNPC Ltd.
“As a matter of caution, we must state clearly that we cannot accept, accommodate, or support the recruitment of senior and management staff from outside NNPC Limited, and any plan in this direction should be stopped immediately,” the letter read in part.
The unions argued that the company has thousands of experienced, competent, and dedicated Nigerian professionals across various fields, who have devoted many years to sustaining the legacies of the company and eager to take on higher responsibilities.
“Denying them career advancement opportunities and overlooking them in favour of external recruitment is grossly unjust and wasteful, and it will also disrupt the company’s steady progress towards greater profitability and efficiency.
“We must therefore caution against any unjust action that undermines the career growth of deserving staff members of our company.
“If this warning is ignored, we cannot guarantee the continuation of industrial harmony within NNPC Limited,” they stated in the letter.
They stated that the letter was to put the management and the Board of NNPC Limited on notice that any recruitment or appointment of senior or management staff above the SS6 cadre, specifically within the SS5 to M2 cadre from outside the organisation, “will be met with strong resistance, including a total shutdown of operations.”
