Members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has elected Salimon Oladiti as the Union’s new president.
The new president has therefore stated that securing better working conditions and protecting members’ rights will remain the union’s top priority.
Oladiti spoke over the weekend at the 6th quadrennial delegates conference of NUPENG in Lagos.
He and 15 others were elected unopposed as national officers of the union for a four-year term.
The new NUPENG president pledged to engage employers through dialogue to improve conditions of service for workers across the oil and gas sector.
“Members’ rights and welfare will remain a priority for this administration,” Oladiti said.
“We shall work tirelessly to strengthen our union and uphold the dignity of labour.
“We will collaborate with the government, labour-friendly employers and other social partners for the betterment of the Nigerian economy and to improve the welfare and working conditions of our members across the country.”
The new NUPENG president also announced plans to establish a truth and reconciliation committee and work closely with past leaders of the union to sustain internal cohesion.
Oladiti commended his predecessor, Williams Akporeha, for the “landmark achievements” recorded during his tenure, including improved remuneration, construction of a new national secretariat, and the introduction of health and life insurance schemes for union staff and tanker drivers.
In his goodwill message, Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of labour and employment, urged the newly elected president to build on the legacies of his predecessor, Williams Akporeha.
Dingyadi, represented by Falonipe Amos, director of trade union services and industrial relations at the ministry, recalled “the warm relationship” between NUPENG and operators across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry.
He urged the new leadership to sustain cordial industrial relations while advocating improved welfare for workers.
“The federal government values NUPENG contributions to national development,” the minister said.
“Comrade Akporeha’s commitment to constructive dialogue while agitating for workers’ welfare is exemplary.
“He contributed meaningfully to industrial harmony. We urge the executive that will succeed him to take a cue from this.”
Dingyadi advised the executive not to replace dialogue with confrontation while pursuing the interests of union members.
Earlier in his welcome address, Akporeha said his administration focused on promoting industry harmony and improving staff welfare through structured engagement with stakeholders.
“When we arrived, the secretariat was staffed by a demoralized, ageing workforce. Today, many have retired meritoriously, with their entitlements paid promptly. Others left voluntarily for educational pursuits abroad,” the outgoing president said.
“We recruited new, capable hands, rewarded stagnation with well-deserved promotions, reviewed salaries under a revitalised staff CBA, and provided modern equipment. The crowning achievement – NUPENG Towers – a brand-new, conducive workspace commissioned in December 2024.”
On his part, Festus Osifo, president of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), paid tribute to Akporeha for his role in advancing workers’ welfare in the oil and gas sector.