PENGASSAN Warns Tinubu’s Order on NNPC Revenues Could Lead to Job Losses

Why It Matters

The move jeopardizes the fiscal governance of Nigeria’s flagship oil company, risking job losses and deterring foreign investment crucial for the country’s economy.

Key Takeaways

• Tinubu order redirects oil revenue to federation account.
• NNPC loses ability to cover operational costs before remittance.
• PENGASSAN warns potential job redundancies for staff.
• Order conflicts with Petroleum Industry Act sections 8,9,64.
• Investor confidence may erode due to legal uncertainty.

Pulse Analysis

Nigeria’s oil sector has long been governed by the Petroleum Industry Act, which positioned NNPC Limited as a commercially driven entity capable of managing its own operating expenses before contributing to the national treasury. Tinubu’s recent executive order, however, re‑centralizes revenue flows by mandating that all oil proceeds be deposited directly into the federation account, effectively bypassing the financial safeguards embedded in the PIA. This shift raises questions about fiscal discipline and the balance of power between the executive branch and statutory frameworks.

The immediate operational impact on NNPC could be severe. Without the ability to retain a portion of revenues for day‑to‑day costs, the company may face cash shortages that force it to curtail maintenance, delay projects, or lay off workers—outcomes that PENGASSAN warns could render many staff redundant. Such financial strain undermines the workforce stability that is essential for maintaining production levels and meeting contractual obligations, potentially weakening Nigeria’s export earnings.

Beyond the domestic labor market, the order introduces a layer of regulatory uncertainty that could deter foreign investors. International oil firms and financiers look for predictable legal environments; a precedent where executive orders can override legislation may prompt capital flight or a slowdown in new project approvals. Policymakers will need to reconcile revenue centralization with the need for a stable, investor‑friendly climate, perhaps by amending the PIA or seeking legislative backing for the order to preserve confidence in Nigeria’s energy sector.

PENGASSAN warns Tinubu’s order on NNPC revenues could lead to job losses

By Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe · February 20, 2026

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that President Bola Tinubu’s executive order directing oil revenues to be paid directly into the federation account could undermine the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited’s financial structure and put jobs at risk.

The order, signed on February 18, removes NNPC Limited’s authority to deduct operational costs from oil and gas revenues before remitting funds to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Speaking on Thursday, PENGASSAN president Festus Osifo said the directive conflicts with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which established NNPC Limited as a commercial entity with defined financial powers.

Read also: “Why I issued executive order on NNPC’s finances— Tinubu.”

“Our members are in danger of being declared redundant because NNPC may not be able to meet their obligations to our members,” Osifo said.

He argued that sections 8, 9 and 64 of the PIA clearly outline NNPC Limited’s financial autonomy, adding that an executive order cannot override legislation passed by the National Assembly.

“The executive order that was signed by the president is a direct attack on the PIA,” Osifo said. “Executive orders cannot supersede the law of the land.”

PENGASSAN said the directive could also weaken investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector by creating uncertainty about the stability of its legal and fiscal framework. The union warned that investors may begin to question whether protections under the PIA can be altered through executive action.

Osifo noted that the union believes the president may not have been fully briefed on the implications of the order, and that the decision contradicts efforts to attract investment into the sector.

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Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.