The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has called for any changes linked to Executive Order 9 to pass through the National Assembly.
Its president, Festus Osifo, made the demand on Tuesday, the 24th of February, 2026, in Abuja while speaking to journalists at the opening of the union’s National Executive Council meeting.
Recall that on the 13th of February, President Bola Tinubu signed Executive Order 9, aimed at restructuring oil and gas revenue administration and improving transparency in government income.
The directive mandates that all petroleum earnings, including royalties, taxes, and profit oil, be remitted straight into the Federation Account to block revenue leakages and uphold constitutional requirements.
Osifo warned that certain aspects of the order may conflict with established legal frameworks in the sector, especially the Petroleum Industry Act.
He argued that revising core industry laws through executive directives instead of parliamentary debate could weaken trust and unsettle the sector.
“The provisions of Executive Order 9, as presently constituted, amount to a direct threat to the stability we currently enjoy in the oil and gas sector.
“Amending critical industry laws through executive orders, instead of legislative processes, undermines transparency, stakeholder confidence and long-term sectoral sustainability.
“Such actions, if unchecked, could negatively affect investments, operations and the welfare of workers across the petroleum industry,” he said.
Osifo urged the Federal Government to forward any proposed amendments to the National Assembly to allow debate and input from key stakeholders.
He cautioned that uncertainty around policy direction may slow investment decisions and interrupt ongoing reforms.
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He also pointed to possible consequences for workers, including job security, welfare packages, and funding models within major petroleum agencies.
According to him, salary structures and management fees connected to profit oil in joint venture arrangements could face disruption.
Osifo noted that turbulence in the sector may shrink foreign exchange inflows and strain the broader economy.
He maintained that falling confidence could deepen inflationary pressure already affecting workers nationwide.
Despite the concerns, he disclosed that the union has engaged government representatives several times and plans further talks with the Presidential Implementation Committee on Executive Order 9.
He said discussions so far have been constructive and expressed optimism that dialogue would help resolve outstanding issues.