Nigeria Court Nullifies Chevron Branch Dissolution, Orders Fresh Elections

Nigeria's National Industrial Court of Nigeria has annulled the dissolution of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Chevron Branch executive committees. The court, led by Justice Joyce A. O. Damachi, delivered its judgment on August 10, 2026.

The PENGASSAN Central Working Committee dissolved the branch's executive committee in October 2024 following a vote of no confidence against the chairman. However, the claimants argued that the CWC lacked the power to dissolve the branch without prior approval from the National Executive Council and compliance with the disciplinary procedure stipulated by the union's constitution.

The court also ruled that PENGASSAN's national leadership exceeded its powers by revoking the Chevron Branch by-laws, which were reviewed in 2022. Justice Damachi declared the 2017 Chevron Branch by-laws valid and subsisting.