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By Tracy Moses
The recent move by the new management of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to recruit senior staff from outside the organization has sparked a strong reaction from labour unions in the oil sector.
The is as the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) expressed their dissatisfaction, voicing concerns over the exclusion of internal candidates for top management positions.
The controversy follows the announcement last week by the Nigerian President of Engr. Bayo Ojulari as the new Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC, alongside Ahmadu Kida as non-executive chairman. This development marked the end of Mele Kyari’s tenure as GCEO and Pius Akinyelure’s term as board chairman at the country’s apex oil firm.
In a joint letter dated April 4, directed to NNPC’s Chief Human Resources Officer, both unions demanded clarification on why the Group Executive Council (GEC) had opted for external hires instead of promoting qualified internal candidates.
The two unions emphasized that they could not accept the recruitment of senior management from outside the corporation and called for a review of the decision.
The letter titled ‘The Unacceptability of Filling Top Management Roles in NNPC Limited with Externally Recruited Personnel’ was issued by the leaders of PENGASSAN and NUPENG, which includes Amaoge Chukwudi, the GEC Secretary at PENGASSAN; Solomon Orieji, the chairman of PENGASSAN; Paulosa Paulosa, the GEC Secretary at NUPENG; and Baba Kaumi, the chairman of NUPENG.
The letter was also copied key figures such as the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, the Executive Vice President (EVP) of Business Services at NNPC, and the Presidents of both PENGASSAN and NUPENG.
The communication begins with warm congratulations to the newly appointed Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) and the members of the Board of NNPC Limited, wishing them success and excellence in their new roles.
However, the letter raises a critical concern, emphasizing the need to address potential future issues. It notes a concerning pattern observed whenever an externally appointed GCEO takes office, namely, the tendency to recruit top management from outside the organization, instead of promoting internal staff members within NNPC Ltd.
The letter urges the leadership to take this matter into serious consideration to avoid any adverse effects.
“As a matter of caution, we must state clearly that we cannot accept, accommodate, or support the recruitment of senior and Management staff from outside NNPC Limited and that any plan in such direction be stopped immediately,” the letter read in part.
It said NNPC Limited is home to thousands of experienced, competent, and dedicated Nigerian professionals across various fields.
They argued that these individuals, who include their members, have dedicated quality years to sustaining the legacies of the company and are eager to take on higher responsibilities.
“Denying them career advancement opportunities and overlooking them in favor of external recruitment is grossly unjust and wasteful, and it will also disrupt the company’s steady progress towards greater profitability and efficiency.
“We must therefore caution against any unjust action that undermines the career growth of deserving staff members of our company. If this warning is ignored, we cannot guarantee the continuation of industrial harmony within NNPC Limited, ” they stressed.
According to the unions, the letter was issued to inform the management and Board of NNPC Limited that PENGASSAN and NUPENG firmly oppose the hiring or appointment of senior or management staff above the SS6 level, particularly within the SS5 to M2 cadre, from external sources.
The unions also warned that any attempt to bring in such staff from outside the organization will face significant opposition, including the possibility of a complete halt in operations. They concluded by assuring continued support and extending regards.