Investment banker and development economist, Nnaemeka Obiareri, has alleged that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) are corrupt, accusing them of failing in their responsibility to protect workers.
Obiareri made the allegations during an interview on TVC News on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, when he was asked if his earlier comments implied corruption within the two oil unions. Question:
“From everything you’ve said, it almost seems like PENGASSAN and NUPENG are, let me say, corrupt from everything that you’ve said.”
Obiareri replied: “There is no doubt about it. They are corrupt. Two years ago, the same guys told us those refineries were working. And they are not working.”
Read also: Conciliation Between Dangote & PENGASSAN Deadlocked
The interviewer noted that the primary responsibility of the unions was to represent workers, engage in collective bargaining, advocate for favourable policies, and ensure welfare and safety. He asked Obiareri what the way forward should be, given the accusations.
Question: “They had a meeting for nine hours and nothing has happened. What do you think will be the outcome of this meeting?
You said you are not for Dangote, but for every Nigerian. So, what do you think is the way forward?”
Obiareri replied: “The way forward? The employer of those workers stated clearly that these are the issues. In any sane environment, you don’t need to say, Okay, I’ll give you two days to bring them back, or I’ll shut you down.
We would have entered into a fair negotiation.”
“For instance, if 90% of workers in this place suddenly vandalise everything, and management decides to lay them off, you cannot insist they must be reinstated.
There are proper ways of remediating such issues. When Cardoso became governor of the Central Bank, he sacked a lot of people. Many went to the industrial court. Some won, some lost, some were compensated.
There are organised ways of doing things. If NUPENG and PENGASSAN were altruistic, they would pursue such channels, not issue threats that within 24 hours, they’ll shut down the system,” he added.
The host interjected, pointing out that the constitution prohibits arbitrary mass layoffs. Question: “Maybe because it’s in the constitution that you cannot just massively lay off workers like that?”
Obiareri replied: “Yes, it’s in the constitution that you cannot easily lay off workers like that. But there are also extraordinary circumstances. Remember, this was a man who employed people, trained them abroad and everything. No employer will play games with an employee who is adding value.”
“I’ve seen cases where employers go out of their way to accommodate valuable employees just to maintain peace. But in Nigeria, this culture of mediocrity is widespread—protecting people who do wrong, covering up inefficiencies.
The truth is, and I repeat it, no employer of labour will willfully lay off an employee who is adding value to the organisation,” he added.
