The Oyo State Government has congratulated the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Oyo State Council, Bosun Olabiyi-Agoro, following his emergence as the new National President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).
Olabiyi-Agoro emerged unopposed at PENGASSAN’s first Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held in Abuja on Saturday, succeeding Festus Osifo, who led the association for six years.
The development was welcomed by the Oyo State Government, with Acting Governor Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal describing the election as a positive development for PENGASSAN and a testament to Olabiyi-Agoro’s record in labour leadership.
Lawal, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, said the new PENGASSAN president had distinguished himself through his commitment to workers’ welfare and labour relations.
“I congratulate Comrade Olabiyi-Agoro, a man of purpose whose commitment to labour unionism and workers’ advancement has never been in doubt, on emerging as the President of PENGASSAN,” Lawal said.
He expressed confidence that Olabiyi-Agoro would use his experience to advance the interests of members of the association.
According to the acting governor, Governor Seyi Makinde was particularly pleased with the development because of Olabiyi-Agoro’s contribution to engagements between organised labour and the state government on workers’ welfare.
Lawal also reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with labour unions in Oyo State.
He said the government would continue working with organised labour to improve workers’ welfare and promote good governance.
Lawal is serving as Acting Governor while Makinde is on his approved annual leave. The governor’s absence runs from August 10 to September 11, with Lawal overseeing the affairs of the state during the period.
Olabiyi-Agoro’s emergence marks a new chapter for PENGASSAN and the wider labour movement.
A petroleum engineer, labour leader and industrial relations strategist, he has more than two decades of experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. He currently works with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
Before joining the regulatory commission, he held technical and operational positions with industry players including Baker Hughes and EA Temile and Sons.
His academic qualifications include a master’s degree in petroleum engineering from the University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom, a postgraduate certificate in computing from London Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Technology degree in chemical engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
Within PENGASSAN, he previously served as National Financial Secretary from 2022 to 2023, National Auditor from 2020 to 2022 and Chairman of the Baker Hughes PENGASSAN branch from 2016 to 2020.
In his acceptance speech, the new president pledged to prioritise workers’ welfare and build on the achievements of his predecessor.
He also promised to protect jobs amid divestments, automation, restructuring and uncertainties linked to the energy transition.
Olabiyi-Agoro said his administration would strengthen collective bargaining and industrial relations while pursuing retraining and redeployment opportunities for workers.
His leadership begins at a critical period for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with changes in investment patterns, technology and employment practices expected to keep labour relations high on the sector’s agenda.
