PENGASSAN Alleges Abuse of Expatriate Quota as Indians Take Over Low-Level Jobs in Oil Sector

PENGASSAN Alleges Abuse of Expatriate Quota as Indians Take Over Low-Level Jobs in Oil Sector

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has raised concerns over the increasing number of Indian nationals taking up low-level jobs in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, citing abuse of the expatriate quota system.

PENGASSAN President, Mr. Festus Osifo, highlighted the issue during the closing session of the three-day Energy and Labour Summit in Abuja, themed “The Future of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Industry: Energy Mix, Energy Security, Artificial Intelligence, Divestment, and Crude Oil Theft.”

Osifo expressed alarm over the influx of expatriates, particularly Indians, in the sector. “They are taking over low-level jobs, which is a blatant abuse of the expatriate quota system,” Osifo stated. He pointed out that companies like Sterling Oil have more Indians than Nigerians working in roles such as plant operators, vulcanizers, and even gatekeepers.

Despite continuous engagement with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), PENGASSAN has been unable to resolve the situation. Osifo accused some companies of exploiting the system by registering numerous shell companies to facilitate the import of expatriates, with over 200 firms allegedly involved in spreading Indian nationals across various oil and gas operations.

Osifo stressed that Nigerian graduates are struggling to find work while expatriates occupy jobs that should be reserved for locals. “We keep granting expatriate quotas to these companies, and they have abused it,” he said, warning that the union may be forced to take more confrontational steps if the situation is not addressed.

In addition, Osifo pointed to Indorama’s facilities in Port Harcourt, where Indian nationals reportedly outnumber Nigerian workers and are paid in U.S. dollars, further compounding the wage disparity due to currency devaluation.

He called on the Federal Government to take swift action to protect Nigerian workers and ensure that the country’s oil resources benefit its citizens first.

“This situation is unacceptable and must be addressed now,” Osifo urged, adding that PENGASSAN would continue to advocate for the rights of Nigerian workers against the exploitation of the expatriate quota system.