In a rare show of solidarity, members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Warri Zone, on Wednesday stormed the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Delta State, demanding the immediate removal of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba.
The protesting unionists arrived at the university’s main gate as early as 6:00 a.m., blocking access with petrol tankers and heavy-duty trucks while chanting solidarity songs. The demonstrators carried placards with bold inscriptions such as: “Prof. Ezekiel O. Agbalagba Must Go,” “We Say No to Divide and Rule,” “No to Victimisation,” “No to Intimidation,” “Earned Allowance Is Our Legitimate Right,” and “Prof. Agbalagba Cannot Teach Us Unionism.”
Their action was in response to a circular issued by the university management on Monday, July 21, which the unions claimed labeled their members as security threats and sought the deployment of armed security personnel against them. The controversial memo, referenced VC/STAF&STDS/25/VOL1 and titled “Security Alert and Caution to All Staff and Students”, was personally signed by the Vice Chancellor.
Describing the directive as “disgraceful, dangerous, and a clear abuse of power,” the unions accused Prof. Agbalagba of employing “archaic, repressive, and provocative” tactics to stifle constitutionally guaranteed union activities.
“Our right to peaceful protest and freedom of association cannot be suppressed,” the unions declared. “This is not only unacceptable but also an affront to the labour movement in Nigeria. If this continues, we will be left with no choice but to escalate this into a nationwide action.”
They further warned the university administration against any further attempts to intimidate union members, insisting that no amount of threats or forceful tactics would deter them from demanding accountability and fairness.
Meanwhile, General Secretaries of NUPENG and PENGASSAN, Afolabi Olawale and Lumumba Okugbawa, were yet to formally address the press as of the time of filing this report.
It will be recalled that in the same circular, Prof. Agbalagba warned: “Be advised that the University Management will not tolerate any action that will jeopardise the peaceful academic environment or undermine the significant achievement of the Visitor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR)’s administration in maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar across Nigerian universities.”
The situation at FUPRE remains tense as the unions vow to sustain the protest until their demands are met.
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