Why PENGASSAN is sounding the alarm

At a packed National Executive Council meeting in Abuja, PENGASSAN president Festus Osifo laid out a grievance that many Nigerians in the oil and gas sector share: foreign workers are taking jobs that the law says should belong to locals. Osifo pointed to a surge in Indian technicians, vulcanizers and even operators on oil rigs, a trend he says flies in the face of the country's 70‑percent local content target set for 2027.

"A pressing concern is the high number of expatriates in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, mainly from India," Osifo said. He added that while skilled expatriates can boost productivity, the current imbalance fuels resentment among home‑grown engineers and welders who feel sidelined.

Who’s responsible and what could change

The union is not just blaming the oil majors; it is also calling out two government bodies that hand out the work permits. The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Ministry of Interior, according to Osifo, have been too lax in granting employment licences to foreigners for roles that could be filled by Nigerians.

"If you go to some of these companies, vulcanizers and conductors are Indians. Even operators are Indians. And that should not go," he warned. Osifo argued that the agencies need stricter oversight and that the quota system for expatriates, meant for niche expertise, is being abused for routine positions.

In the past, PENGASSAN has not shied away from naming specific firms. The union publicly called out Indorama, among others, and forced a review of its staffing policies. Osifo hinted that similar pressure could be applied again, saying, "We have been calling names. We are not shying away from calling names."

• Demand: Enforce the 70 % local content rule across all staffing levels.
• Target: Hold the NCDMB and Ministry of Interior accountable for permissive licensing.
• Action: Publicly expose firms that flout the rules and push for corrective measures.

After the NEC meeting, the union resolved to "do everything possible to hold them to account," suggesting organized protests, legal challenges, or coordinated negotiations with the government. While PENGASSAN has not announced a specific strike date, the tone indicates that industrial action could be on the horizon if the status quo persists.

Industry observers note that the oil sector contributes roughly 10 % of Nigeria’s GDP, and any disruption could ripple through the broader economy. Yet many analysts also argue that over‑reliance on foreign talent undermines the development of a robust local workforce, which is essential for long‑term sustainability.

For now, the spotlight remains on how quickly the NCDMB and the Ministry of Interior will tighten their issuance of foreign work permits. If they act, the pressure on oil firms may ease; if not, PENGASSAN appears ready to turn its rhetoric into a full‑scale showdown.