PENGASSAN Unveils ICAN-Inspired Leadership Succession Framework

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has put in place a new method for leadership changes, aiming to prevent disagreements, divisions, and prolonged conflicts during transitions. This development was revealed by PENGASSAN President, Festus Osifo, on Saturday in Abuja.

Osifo made this announcement during a tribute event organised by the association to honour its late former president, Francis Johnson. Johnson, who led PENGASSAN from June 2014 until his passing on May 31, 2019, died at the National Hospital, Abuja, following a brief illness. The sudden demise of Johnson and the subsequent leadership void significantly influenced the union's decision to establish a more streamlined succession process, thereby reducing the internal disputes often associated with shifts in leadership.

According to the PENGASSAN president, the union has modified its constitution to incorporate a succession plan that mirrors the system used by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Under this revised arrangement, the elected deputy president will automatically ascend to the presidency. Osifo explained that this measure is designed to eliminate the intense competition for the top office and guarantee a seamless transfer of authority. He further stated that the new framework was adopted after an extensive review of the historical challenges PENGASSAN faced during its leadership transitions.

Osifo highlighted that the constitutional amendment, which received unanimous approval in August 2025, was informed by a study of succession models employed by various other professional and membership organisations. He confirmed that the association had examined systems from bodies like the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and ICAN before settling on the model deemed most appropriate for PENGASSAN.

He was quoted saying, "In fact, we did a constitutional amendment that was unanimously passed in August last year, where we looked at it: what is the best model that we have in our country in terms of succession? We looked at the Nigerian Bar Association and said no, that is not the best model. We looked at ICAN, for example. “We said, yes, I think there is something there. If you look at ICAN, they don’t contest the election into the president, but they contest the election into the vice because the president is already known. Because he is known, the senior or the first vice-president will transit to become the president. So, that balances and smoothens whatever they were doing. And we have imbibed that in PENGASSAN."

Osifo further elaborated on the new structure: “In PENGASSAN, whoever is the deputy president elected is going to automatically become the president. So, there is no contestation again in the office of the president. So, that is known. So, because that is known, it reduces the tension that normally comes. And I will tell you, our transition is going to be in August. Normally, two years before transition in PENGASSAN, you will see problems everywhere. “But I will tell you, 100 per cent stability. The National Executive Council and the Central Working Committee, we are intact. The transition is going smoothly. There is no issue as of today whatsoever. And that is one thing that we are proud of. That is one of the legacies to bequeath to this institution that has been founded since 1978.”

The union’s delegates conference, where this leadership transition will formally occur, is scheduled for August 22, 2026. Osifo concluded that this innovative system would ensure PENGASSAN remains focused on its primary responsibilities, rather than being distracted by internal power struggles.