Festus Osifo Biography
Introduction
Festus Osifo is a prominent Nigerian engineer, labour leader, and philanthropist. He currently serves as President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria and also as President of the Petroleum & Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). His work spans engineering, union activism, education, and grassroots humanitarian efforts.
Childhood and Schooling
Birthplace: Benin City, Nigeria’s Edo State.
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Primary & Secondary Education: He attended Iyobosa Primary School and Immaculate Conception College (ICC) in Benin City.
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Higher Education:
He earned an HND in Mechanical Engineering with distinction from Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun.
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He obtained a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from the University of Portsmouth, UK.
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He holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburg
Engineering & Industrial Career
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Festus Osifo has about 20 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, having worked with firms such as Schlumberger Nigeria Limited and TotalEnergies Exploration & Production Nigeria. Vanguard News+2energyfocusreport.com+2
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He is also affiliated with professional bodies: Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN), and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE). Vanguard News+2energyfocusreport.com+2
Leadership in the Labour Movement
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In 2020, Osifo was elected the 16th President of PENGASSAN, the senior staff association for petroleum and natural gas workers in Nigeria. energyfocusreport.com+1
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In 2022, he was elected President General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria. TheCable+1
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In April 2025, he was re-elected unopposed for a second term as President of TUC
Charity and Social Projects
Osifo founded the Save Our Children Education Initiative (SOCEI), which focuses on providing free and quality education to primary and secondary students, especially dropouts.
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Additionally, he is the head of the Festus Osifo Foundation (Humanitarian Initiative), which carries out initiatives related to community development, education, women’s empowerment, clean water and sanitation, and youth empowerment.
Honors, Acknowledgment, and Impact
He received the Outstanding Labour Leader of the Year award from the Independent Awards in 2024.
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Osifo is regarded as a significant voice in Nigeria’s labor movement as a union leader, especially when it comes to promoting the rights of unionization, improved compensation, and worker welfare.
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Important Characteristics & Personalities
are renowned for having excellent lobbying abilities, honesty, and a dedication to openness in leadership.
has bridged the gap between workers’ rights and engineering professionalism by fusing labor activism with technical expertise.
actively engaged in community empowerment and grassroots education.
Impact & Legacy
Festus Osifo’s leadership marks a convergence of technical skill, labour activism, and social responsibility. His roles in PENGASSAN and TUC show his influence across Nigeria’s energy sector and labour policy. Through SOCEI and his foundation, he is shaping access to education and community welfare in underserved regions. Over time, his re-election and recognition suggest growing trust in his vision for fair labour practices in Nigeria.