By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), Professor Ezekiel O. Agbalagba, has called on the Federal Government to fully implement the FUPRE Establishment Act of 2017 to enable the institution fulfill its mandate of delivering cutting-edge petroleum education, research and innovation.
The VC made this appeal during a media briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Warri, Delta State, on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
Professor Agbalagba thanked the media for their continued support, stating, “Your commitment to fair, accurate and responsible journalism has significantly contributed to fostering public trust in our institution.”
He reminded journalists of his earlier pledge during his inaugural address to transform FUPRE into a national and global hub for petroleum education and innovation, while prioritizing staff and student welfare.
To achieve this, the Vice Chancellor said he set up a Strategic Planning Committee to design a five-year roadmap that will guide the university’s development.
“FUPRE remains Africa’s first petroleum-focused university and the sixth in the world. This status places a heavy responsibility on us to drive industry-relevant education and sustainable energy solutions,” Agbalagba said.
According to him, with growing petroleum exploration in Africa and the ongoing global energy transition, there is increasing demand for localized expertise and indigenous technology. “FUPRE is strategically positioned to bridge this gap,” he added.
He said the exit of international oil companies from Nigeria has created manpower and knowledge gaps. “We are ready to fill these gaps, but we need the government, industry and private sector to partner with us,” he stated.
As part of efforts to expand its academic offerings, the Vice Chancellor announced the introduction of seven new degree programmes for the 2025/2026 session. These include four programmes in business and management B.Sc. in Entrepreneurship, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Petroleum Information Management, and Procurement Management and three in science: B.Sc. Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Petroleum Chemistry.
“These new programmes are designed to equip students with globally relevant and locally impactful skills to drive innovation and solve real-world problems,” Agbalagba explained.
While appreciating the federal government for enacting the FUPRE Act, he decried its poor implementation. He noted that the Act mandates funding support from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, PTDF, and NCDMB through 2% of their annual budgets and revenues, and also provides for competitive service conditions.
“Sadly, these provisions have not been implemented. This has hampered our ability to attract top talent, build infrastructure and carry out industry-relevant research,” he lamented.
The VC also said the university’s lecture halls, staff quarters, hostels, power supply and laboratories remain inadequate. “We therefore call on the government to fully implement the Act so we can fulfill our national mission,” he stressed.
Despite the funding challenges, VC Agbalagba said FUPRE has made significant progress in renewable energy research, local content innovation, digital technologies and water purification.
On union matters, he addressed what he called misleading reports about union recognition. He explained that PENGASSAN had filed Suit No. NICN/AB/319/2021, claiming it should unionize senior staff at FUPRE based on the FUPRE Act.
However, he said the National Industrial Court in a ruling by Justice B.B. Kanyip on March 30, 2022, ruled that PENGASSAN has no right to unionize staff in a university setting, citing the Trade Union Act and confirming that the Minister of Education and the National Universities Commission are the proper regulatory bodies.
Agbalagba stated, “Despite the binding 2022 judgment, which has not been appealed, PENGASSAN filed a new case (NICN/ASB/38/2024), which is now before the National Industrial Court in Asaba.”
He condemned PENGASSAN’s recent actions, such as blocking university gates, as unlawful and urged respect for the court’s decision.
On the issue of Earned Allowances, the VC clarified that FUPRE has no intention to withhold entitlements. He said the bursary department issued a memo on June 5, 2025, following the receipt of approvals, and allowances were disbursed through recognized unions.
He acknowledged that some staff are yet to receive payment due to administrative and technical issues, but assured that all pending allowances will be paid within one week.
On allegations of intimidation and victimization, the Vice Chancellor denied the claims. “My administration is built on fairness, inclusion and accountability not fear or exclusion,” he declared.
He recalled telling the university community at a town hall meeting: “If we cannot solve our problems, then we are not truly a university.”
Agbalagba appealed to journalists to support FUPRE with development-focused reporting. “We need the media to go beyond headlines, help educate the public and highlight our breakthroughs,” he said.
He called on government, industry players and stakeholders to support the university’s efforts in training skilled professionals and developing home-grown energy solutions.
“FUPRE is committed to transparency, fairness, and building local capacity to power Nigeria’s future. Let us work together to make FUPRE a true catalyst for national transformation,” the Vice Chancellor concluded.