Festus Osifo Biography: Age, Wife, Career, Education, Net Worth

Learn about Festus Osifo, the president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Discover Festus Osifo biography, achievements, and challenges.

Festus Osifo Biography

Festus Osifo is a Nigerian labour leader who is currently serving as the president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), one of the largest and most influential trade unions in the country. He is also a senior engineer at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), where he has worked for over two decades. In this article, we will explore his biography, achievements, and challenges as a labour leader and a professional in the oil and gas sector.

Early Life and Education

Festus Osifo was born on June 12, 1972, in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, Nigeria. He is the fifth child of his parents, who were both teachers. He attended Edo College, a prestigious secondary school in Benin City, where he excelled in mathematics and physics. He developed an interest in engineering from a young age and decided to pursue a career in that field.

He gained admission to the University of Benin, where he studied mechanical engineering and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1994. He later obtained a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Port Harcourt in 2004. He also holds several professional certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), the Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP), and the Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Career at NNPC

Festus Osifo joined the NNPC in 1996 as a graduate trainee engineer. He was posted to the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), one of the four refineries operated by the NNPC. He rose through the ranks and became a senior engineer in charge of maintenance and reliability. He was involved in several projects and initiatives to improve the performance and efficiency of the refinery, such as the Turn Around Maintenance (TAM), the Asset Management System (AMS), and the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM).

He also participated in various training and development programs, both locally and internationally, to enhance his skills and knowledge. He attended courses and workshops in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and South Africa. He also represented the NNPC in various conferences and forums, such as the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP), the International Maintenance Conference (IMC), and the World Petroleum Congress (WPC).

Rise to Labour Leadership
Festus Osifo joined PENGASSAN in 1997 as a member of the WRPC branch. He became active in the union’s activities and was elected as the branch secretary in 2002. He later served as the branch chairman from 2006 to 2010. He was also elected as the national treasurer of PENGASSAN from 2010 to 2014. He became the national vice president of PENGASSAN from 2014 to 2018. He was finally elected as the national president of PENGASSAN in 2018, succeeding Francis Johnson, who died in office.

As the president of PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo is responsible for leading and coordinating the affairs of the union, which has over 20,000 members across the oil and gas industry. He is also the chief spokesperson and negotiator of the union, representing the interests and welfare of the workers in various platforms and dialogues with the government, the employers, and other stakeholders. He is also a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the umbrella body of all trade unions in Nigeria.

Achievements as PENGASSAN President

He successfully negotiated and secured the implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between PENGASSAN and the NNPC, which improved the salary and benefits of the workers.

He led the union in the advocacy and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), a long-awaited legislation that seeks to reform and restructure the oil and gas sector in Nigeria.

He championed the cause of the workers in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that they were protected from layoffs, salary cuts, and health risks.

He initiated and executed several projects and programs to enhance the capacity and welfare of the union members, such as the PENGASSAN Academy, the PENGASSAN Cooperative Society, and the PENGASSAN Housing Scheme.

He fostered and maintained cordial and harmonious relationships with the government, the employers, and other labour unions, thereby promoting industrial peace and stability in the oil and gas sector.

Challenges and Controversies

He has had to deal with the perennial problem of fuel scarcity and subsidy, which often results in conflicts and crises between the government and the oil workers.

He has had to contend with the issue of casualization and outsourcing of workers in the oil and gas sector, which undermines the rights and dignity of the workers.

He has had to manage the expectations and demands of the union members, who sometimes accuse him of being too soft or too hard on the employers or the government.

He has had to cope with the pressure and criticism from some quarters, who allege that he is corrupt, incompetent, or compromised.

Personal Life and Interest

Conclusion

Festus Osifo is a remarkable Nigerian who has made a significant impact in the oil and gas sector, both as a professional and as a labour leader. He has demonstrated his passion, dedication, and competence in his various roles and responsibilities. He has also shown his vision, courage, and integrity in his leadership and advocacy. He is an inspiration and a role model for many Nigerians, especially the young and aspiring ones.

Festus Osifo Net Worth

Festus Osifo is a Nigerian engineer and civic servant whose net worth is estimated at $250,00012. He earns his income from his career as a senior engineer at the NNPC and as the president of PENGASSAN, a trade union in the oil and gas sector. He is also the founder and CEO of the Save Our Children Education Initiative (SOCEI), a non-governmental organization that supports education for underprivileged children.

Festus Osifo Wife, Family & Children

Festus Osifo is a happily married man who values his family and privacy. He is married to Esther Osifo, a banker, and they have three children: two sons and a daughter. He is a devout Christian and a member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

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