FUPRE VC debunks union claims, reaffirms Court backing amid protest

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba, has addressed the recent protests and misinformation circulating regarding union recognition and staff entitlements, calling for adherence to the rule of law and responsible journalism.

Speaking to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Professor Agbalagba denounced what he termed “misleading and unfounded reports” following protests led 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).

In a detailed briefing, the Vice-Chancellor outlined the legal journey which culminated in a landmark ruling on 30th March 2022 by Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip of the National Industrial Court in Abuja.

The court held that PENGASSAN does not have the legal standing to unionise senior staff within a university setting, affirming that university union matters are governed by the Trade Unions Act and supervised by the Minister of Education, not the Minister of Petroleum.

Despite this judgement, PENGASSAN recently filed a fresh suit (NICN/ASB/38/2024), currently pending at the Asaba Division of the National Industrial Court, with hearings set for November 2025.

Professor Agbalagba cautioned the union against taking matters into its own hands, including the blockade of university entrances, which he described as “improper and potentially contemptuous”.

“It is critical that all parties respect the judiciary and allow the legal process to conclude. Resorting to self-help undermines the rule of law,” he said.

The VC also clarified concerns surrounding the Earned Allowances owed to staff. He reaffirmed that there was no intention to withhold any entitlements, and that payments had already been disbursed through recognised unions in accordance with federal approvals.

Outstanding payments, he added, were due to “specific administrative and technical issues” which are actively being resolved.

“Those affected have been duly informed, and we have given assurance that all outstanding Earned Allowances will be fully paid within one week,” Agbalagba noted.

Addressing allegations of staff intimidation or rights violations, Professor Agbalagba rejected the claims outright, asserting that his administration is anchored on fairness, inclusion, and accountability.

“From the start, I declared: I am part of you, I am for you, and I am with you. Our focus is on raising standards, not silencing voices,” he told reporters.

He used the opportunity to call for “development journalism”—a press style that not only reports facts but also supports national growth through public education, constructive policy engagement, and innovation promotion.

“FUPRE is more than a university. It is a national asset at the core of Nigeria’s energy and industrial future. We invite the media to reflect our efforts, highlight our breakthroughs, and be a voice for transformation,” he concluded.

As Nigeria pushes towards industrial diversification and sustainable development, FUPRE’s leadership reiterated its readiness to partner with journalists, the energy sector, and policymakers to fulfil its mandate as Africa’s premier petroleum university.

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