Minster urges new NUPENG President to sustain industrial harmony
Mr Muhammad Dangyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, has urged the newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Alhaji Salimon Akanni Oladiti, to build on the cherished legacies of his immediate predecessor, Mr Williams Akporeha.
Dangyadi gave the admonition on Sunday in his goodwill message at the 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference of NUPENG, held in Lagos.
Oladiti, alongside 15 others, was elected unopposed for a four-year term as national officers of the umbrella body for junior workers in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Dangyadi was represented by the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations (TUSIR), Mr Falonipe Amos, recalled the warm and harmonious relationship between NUPENG and stakeholders across the midstream, downstream, and upstream sectors.
He urged the new leadership to sustain the template of cordial industrial relations.
He maintained that while advocating for members’ welfare, dialogue should always take precedence over confrontation.
“The Federal Government values NUPENG’s contributions to national development.
” Comrade Akporeha’s commitment to constructive dialogue while agitating for workers’ welfare is exemplary.
“He contributed meaningfully to industrial harmony. We urge the incoming executive to take a cue from this,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Oladiti commended his predecessor for landmark achievements, including improved remuneration, construction of a befitting national secretariat, health and life insurance for union staff, and an insurance scheme for tanker drivers.
He assured members that his leadership would build on these gains and take the union to greater heights.
“Your dedication, sacrifices, and steadfast leadership have laid a strong and admirable foundation upon which we shall continue to build.
We are committed to strengthening our union and upholding the dignity of labour,” Oladiti said.
He pledged collaboration with government, labour-friendly employers, and other stakeholders to improve the welfare and working conditions of members nationwide.
“At the same time, we will not relent in engaging anti-union employers through constructive dialogue to secure better conditions of service.
“The rights and welfare of our members will always remain our top priority,” he added.
Oladiti also announced plans to establish a “truth and reconciliation committee” and to work closely with elders and past leaders of the union.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Mr Akporeha highlighted his administration’s achievements, including improved staff welfare, construction of the NUPENG Towers national secretariat, and introduction of health and life insurance schemes for staff and tanker drivers.
“When we assumed office, the secretariat had a demoralised, ageing workforce.
” Today, we have rejuvenated the system with new talent, improved remuneration, and modern equipment.
“The crowning achievement is the commissioning of NUPENG Towers in December 2024,” he said.
In his goodwill message, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Mr Festus Osifo, paid tribute to Akporeha, describing him as a trusted ally in advancing workers’ welfare.
“PENGASSAN and NUPENG have never had it so good in the last eight years.
“Our collaboration has led to significant improvements, including a fourfold increase in remuneration for members in international oil companies,” Osifo said.
He added that despite divestments by some international oil companies in the upstream sector, no member of either union lost their job.
Osifo assured Oladiti of continued collaboration, noting that the strong relationship between both unions would be sustained.
Oladiti was the former national Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG.
