Workers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) have warned the new Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, against appointing external persons into top management positions. The staff are members of the NNPC Group Executive Council of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers. They also belong to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria. They threatened to shut down operations if external persons are brought in as executive vice presidents, deputy managers, and managers.
The union leaders argue that NNPC has capable hands within the company to fill these positions. They cite thousands of experienced professionals eager to take on higher responsibilities. They claim denying these individuals career advancement opportunities would be unjust. It would be wasteful and disrupt the company’s progress toward greater profitability and efficiency.
The union has made several key demands, including:
– No External Appointments: The union categorically rejects recruitment or appointment of senior or management staff from outside the organization, specifically within the SS5 to M2 cadre.
– Industrial Harmony: They warn that ignoring this warning may compromise industrial harmony within NNPC Limited, potentially leading to strong resistance, including a total shutdown of operations.
The union leaders congratulated Ojulari and other board members appointed by President Bola Tinubu, who sacked former GCEO Mele Kyari and his team. However, they expressed concern over the recurring trend of external recruitment for top management positions, which they believe undermines staff career growth.
The implications of this development are far-reaching. If the union’s demands are not met, it could lead to a shutdown of operations, which would have a significant impact on the country’s economy. The NNPC is a major player in the Nigerian economy, and any disruption to its operations could have far-reaching consequences.
To avoid a shutdown, the NNPC management must engage with the union and address their concerns. The company must also consider the implications of external recruitment on staff career growth and industrial harmony.
The NNPC workers’ threat to shut down operations over management team appointments is a serious development that requires urgent attention. The company must engage with the union and address their concerns to avoid a shutdown that could have significant implications for the country’s economy.