New Oil Workers’ Boss Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro Takes Over PENGASSAN, Vows to End Casualisation

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has ushered in a new era of union leadership following the election of Comrade Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro as its National President, taking over from Festus Osifo after his six-year tenure.

Elected during the union’s 1st Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Abuja, Olabiyi-Agoro—a seasoned petroleum engineer with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission—delivered a resolute acceptance speech centering on worker protection and industrial reform.

Top on the new president’s agenda is an outright war against the casualisation of oil and gas workers. Describing the widespread practice of keeping skilled workers on permanent contract status without security or benefits as an unacceptable health and safety risk, Olabiyi-Agoro warned that PENGASSAN will deploy all available resources to investigate and dismantle casual practices across operating locations.

Beyond combating workplace exploitation, the new union leader committed to safeguarding jobs amidst ongoing asset divestments by international oil firms. He outlined plans to invest heavily in digital skills training, leadership capacity building, and welfare programs to prepare Nigerian oil workers for the evolving global energy landscape. Reaffirming PENGASSAN’s willingness to collaborate with energy producers, Olabiyi-Agoro stressed that while the union supports increased national oil production and investment, it will remain firm in demanding dignity, fair compensation, and respect for Nigerian workers.