<\/p>\n
MEDIA BRIEFING BY PROFESSOR EZEKIEL O. AGBALAGBA, VICE CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES, EFFURUN (FUPRE), AT THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJJ PRESS CENTRE, EFFURUN, DELTA STATE ON SATURDAY, 26TH JULY 2025 Protocol.<\/p>\n
Distinguished members of the media, it is indeed a privilege to address you today. I begin this briefing by expressing my profound gratitude for the support extended to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources. Effurun (FUPRE). over the years. Your commitment to far, accurate and responsible journalism has significantly contributed to fostering public trust in our institution. We value this partnership and we will continue to engage constructively with you as we share the University’s progress and aspirations,<\/p>\n
You will recall that during my inaugural address as Vice-Chancellor, i pledged to position FUPRE as a leading national and global hub for petroleum-focused education, cutting-edge research and innovation. I also committed to prioritizing the welfare of students and staff, and the implementation of the provisions of the FUPRE Establishment Act. 2017. Today, I reaffirm this commitment continue to enhance academic programs promote impactful research, modernize infrastructure, and deeper stakeholder engagement<\/p>\n
To actualize these goals, I inaugurated a Strategic Planning Committee charged with developing a comprehensive five year roadmap for the University. This committee includes diverse representatives across academia, administration, and key stakeholder groups. Their mandate is to set clear objectives and implementable strategies that will elevate FUPRE into a globally competitive institution, I am confident that this roadmap, once completed will provide a solid foundation upon which we will build transformative progress<\/p>\n
FUPRE remains Africa’s first petroleum-focused university and the sixth globally. This unique status places a weighty responsibility on our shoulders to lead the way in delivering industry relevant education, innovative research, and sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s energy sector. Our mission remains to produce highly skilled engineers, scientists, and leaders who are technically proficient and visionary in addressing the dynamic challenges of the oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n
As petroleum exploration expands across Nigeria and Africa, amidst the indigenization policy of the petroleum sector, the demand for localized expertise, specialized training, and indigenous technology has intensified. FUPRE is strategically positioned to bridge this gap by cultivating talents and advancing research tailored to the continent’s energy realities. With the global energy transition underway including the shift toward cleaner fuels and natural gas, our focus is on equipping our students with competencies to manage demands and challenges of emerging sectors effectively and sustainably.<\/p>\n
The exit of several international oil companies from the Nigerian energy sector has created manpower and knowledge gaps that threaten the industry’s long-term viability. FUPRE is prepared to take the lead in addressing these gaps. However, achieving this requires strategic collaboration with the government, industry stakeholders, and the private sector. By strengthening partnerships, we can consolidate FUPRE’s role as a Center of Excellence in petroleum research, innovation, and workforce development thereby contributing directly to Nigeria’s economic resilience and energy sovereignty.<\/p>\n
In response to evolving industry needs. FUPRE is introducing seven new degree programs in the 2025\/2026 academic session. Four of these are in business and management: B.Sc. Entrepreneurship Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Petroleum Information Management, and Procurement Management all tailored to strategic and operational roles in energy related industries.<\/strong><\/p>\n In the sciences, we are launching B.Sc. Biochemistry Microbiology, and Petroleum Chemistry to support innovations in health, environment, and sustainable energy. These programs reflect our commitment to interdisciplinary education that is globally relevant and locally impactful. We aim to equip students with the tools to drive innovation, spine real-world problems, and lead the transformation of Nigeria’s energy landscape<\/p>\n We acknowledge and appreciate the Federal Government’s foresight in passing the FUPRE Establishment Act, which recognizes our unique mandate The Act mandates critical funding through contributions from the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, PTDF, and NCDMB-2% of their annual budgets and gross revenue, respectively. It also provide for competitive service conditions aligned with those in the oil and gas industry. These provisions are crucial for our mission, including identifying and solving technological challenges in the petroleum sector.<\/p>\n However, we must express concern that these statutory provisions remain largely unimplemented thus far. This has severely limited FUPRE’s ability to attract top talent, build state-of-the-art infrastructure, and conduct industry relevant research. Dur facilities including lecture halls, staff quarters, hostels. power supply, and laboratory equipment are inadequate for the scale of work we are tasked to perform. We therefore urgently call on the government to fully implement the FUPRE Act and provide the funding and structural support required to fulfill our national mandate<\/p>\n With modern facilities, better funding, and industry partnerships, FUPRE can unlock its full potential Despite our limited resources, we have made significant strides in renewable energy research, local content innovation, digital technologies, and water purification. These achievements underscore a commitment to practical home-grown solutions. Greater investment will allow us to scale these innovators, commercialize research outputs, and become a leading petroleum innovation hub in West Africa<\/p>\n Gentlemen of the Press, let me behalf of the Management of the Federal University of Petroleum Resource Effurun (FUPRE), address recent misleading and unfounded reports concerning union recognition and related legal issues involving the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) 2021, PENGASSAN instituted Suit No. NICN\/AB\/319\/2021 at the National Industrial Court. Abuja against ASUU, SSANU, NAAT, FUPRE, and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. By their Originating Summons dated 21st November 2021, PENGASSAN claimed, based on Section 11 of the FUPRE Establishment Act, 2017, that it was the rightful union to represent senior staff members of the University, Section 11 states that the Conditions of Service of university employees should align with those in the Oil and Gas industry to attract top talent<\/p>\n However, despite the defendants not filing any defense. The Court, in a landmark judgment delivered by Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip on 30th March 2022, ruled decisively that PENGASSAN is not entitled to unionize senior staff at FUPRE. The Court emphasized that the Trade Unions Act governs union recognition in tertiary institutions, not the Conditions of Service. It further clarified that the supervisory responsibility for the University lies with the Minister of Education, not the Minister of Petroleum, and that the National Universities Commission (NUC) should provide for the Conditions of Service<\/p>\n Following this judgment, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment formally confirmed that PENGASSAN cannot legally unionize senior staff in a university setting in accordance with the Trade Union Act Cap 114 LFN 2004<\/p>\n In furtherance of this position, the FUPRE Governing Council at its 56th Regular Meeting on 16th June 2023, and again at its 59th Meeting on 25th October 2024, unanimously reaffirmed the non recognition of PENGASSAN and NUPENG as staff unions. The Council directed Management to immediately cease all check-off dues deductions for purported union members. In line with these decisions the University Management issued official notifications to the concerned unions and engaged their representatives to explain the legal and institutional implications of the Council’s resolutions<\/p>\n Despite the clear and binding 2022 court judgment, which has not been appealed or overturned, PENGASSAN filed a fresh sulit (NICN\/ASB\/38\/2024) at the National Industrial Court Asaba Division. The matter is currently pending before Hon. Justice Opeloye A Ogunbowale, with hearing scheduled for 20th November 2025.\u00a0 The University remains fully committed to upholding the 2022 National Industrial Court ruling and expects all parties, including PENGASSAN, to respect judicial processes. It is improper and potentially contemptuous for PENGASSAN to resort to self help actions, such as blocking University entrances while the matter is before the courts. We urge all stakeholders to respect the rule of law and await the final judicial determination.<\/strong><\/p>\n Gentlemen of the Press, I wish to also address the misinformation currently circulating regarding the payment of Earned Allowances. Let me state clearly that the University has no intention whatsoever to withhold any allowances due to eligible staff. Upon receipt of the approved allowances, the Bursary Department on 5th June 2025, issued an official memo informing all staff. Prior to disbursement, my administration engaged with union heads to ensure full alignment with the stipulated requirements from the supervising ministry. Based on these engagements, the allowances were disbursed through the recognized unions, in accordance with government approvals and established due process With regard to staff members whose payments remain pending,<\/p>\n I wish to provide further clarification these outstanding cases are due to specific administrative and technical issues that have been clearly identified and communicated to the individuals involved. The affected staff are fully aware of the nature of these issues and verification processes currently being addressed. Nonetheless, following mutual understanding and agreement reached yesterday, the Management of the University has given its assurance that all outstanding earned Allowances will be fully settled within the next one week. As part of this media briefing, I must firmly address claims of intimidation, victimization or rights violations under my leadership. I reject these narratives completely. From the start, I declared, I am part of you, I am for you I am with you. My administration is built on fairness, inclusion, and accountability-no fear of exclusion At my maiden town hall meeting with the university community. I welcomed open dialogue and called for shared responsibility. I reminded the community that “if we cannot solve our problems, then we are not truly a university. “My focus remains on raising standards, not silencing voices. Let our actions-not assumptions-be the true measure of this administration appeal to you to stand with us in advancing a cause far greater than our campus-nation building through education, innovation, and energy research. Nigeria is at a critical juncture, pushing toward sustainable development and industrial diversification. FUPRE sits at the heart of this national vision. But to fulfill our mandate, we need more than policy-we need strong partners in advocacy<\/p>\n FUPRE needs development journalism-reporting that goes beyond headlines to educate the public, inform national policy, and inspire solutions. We urge the media to engage with our work in a way that reflects our efforts, addresses our challenges with fairness, and highlights our research breakthroughs and institutional progress<\/p>\n We also call on you to help showcase the innovations emerging from FUPRE and the opportunities we offer research, training, and industrial development. By doing so, you can foster meaningful collaborations with government, the oil and gas industry, and other key stakeholders-all in service of national growth and transformation<\/p>\n FUPRE remains committed to transparency, fairness, and institutional integrity. With your support, we research, build local technology, and prepare the workforce that will power Nigeria’s future<\/p>\n Let us work together to strengthen FUPRE-not just for petroleum education, but as a catalyst for national transformation<\/p>\n Thank you, and God bless<\/p>\n Signed:<\/p>\n Professor Ezekiel O. Agbalagba Vice-Chanceller, FUPRE<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" MEDIA BRIEFING BY PROFESSOR EZEKIEL O. AGBALAGBA, VICE CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES, EFFURUN (FUPRE), AT THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJJ PRESS CENTRE, EFFURUN, DELTA STATE ON SATURDAY, 26TH JULY 2025 Protocol. Distinguished members of the media, it is indeed a privilege to address you today. 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