- Osifo noted that Nigerian professionals perform the same high-level tasks as their counterparts worldwide but earn far less
- Osifo further called on government to confront insecurity more aggressively
- He also reiterated PENGASSAN’s support for state police, asserting that decentralised security would deliver a faster
Nigeria may be heading toward a major talent drain in the oil and gas industry unless urgent steps are taken to improve wages and working conditions, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the union’s president, Festus Osifo, raised the alarm during a press briefing at the end of PENGASSAN’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, where he lamented the impact of inflation, naira depreciation and rising living costs on workers in the sector.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Troops Kill Two Bandits, Arrest Suspect In Major Taraba Operation
- Tipsy Raccoon Causes Whisky Rampage in Virginia Liquor Store
- Senate Moves to Toughen Kidnapping Penalties
Osifo noted that Nigerian professionals perform the same high-level tasks as their counterparts worldwide but earn far less, making relocation to countries with competitive pay increasingly attractive.
According to him, without intervention, the exodus witnessed in other sectors will be minor compared to what may soon hit the oil and gas industry.
He explained that the union had secured several favourable agreements across government agencies, international oil companies and service firms, but insisted that more must be done to close the widening wage gap.
He urged employers delaying salary adjustments to act immediately, stressing that companies must prioritise worker welfare to retain top talent.
Osifo further called on the government to confront insecurity more aggressively, arguing that economic recovery is meaningless if citizens cannot farm or live safely.
He decried repeated statements of condemnation without concrete action and demanded systemic efforts to unmask sponsors of terrorism and kidnappings.
He also reiterated PENGASSAN’s support for state police, asserting that decentralized security would deliver a faster, more effective response than the current centralized structure.
On the economy, Osifo cautioned policymakers against celebrating macroeconomic improvements that do not reflect on household survival.
He emphasized that Nigerians need affordable food, stable income, and security, adding that economic reforms must translate to tangible relief for families.
FURTHER READING
