Comrade Williams Akporeha, immediate past President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), reflects on his eight-year leadership of the Union, the state of the Nigerian economy and identifies insecurity and dilapidated road infrastructure as major obstacles affecting the Union’s members.
He urges the Federal Government to prioritize tackling these challenges to safeguard petroleum and gas workers’ operations, among other issues, LABOUR EDITOR, Ufomba Uzuegbu writes, Excerpts:
Landmark achievements NUPENG secured under my leadership?
The last four years saw robust engagements across all branches of the Union. We addressed in-house and outsourced members’ issues, contested redundancies, and vigorously pursued wage reopenings. As a direct result of our collective bargaining interventions, all our formal sector branches recorded significant improvements–some on two or three separate occasions. Joint Consultative Council meetings were convened and concluded successfully, averting major industrial disharmony.
Our storey National Secretariat stands as a symbol of resilience and prudent financial management. Let me emphasize that it was executed without a single bank loan but with the efforts and sacrifices of all members of NUPENG.
Four of the seven floors are already leased out, creating an additional source of income that will cushion us against dwindling financial inflows for years to come.The commissioning was graced by His Excellency,President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil),Dr Heineken Lokpobiri.
Union Staff Matters:
When we arrived,the Secretariat was staffed by a demoralized, aging workforce .Today,many have retired meritoriously,with their entitlements paid promptly. Others left voluntarily for educational pursuits abroad.We recruited new,capable hands, rewarded stagnation with well-deserved promotions,reviewed salaries under a revitalized staff CBA,and provided modern equipment.
Health Insurance and Life Insurance for Union Staff:
For the first time in NUPENG history, our Secretariat staff have enjoyed comprehensive health and life insurance coverage. These benefits have guaranteed them access to quality Healthcare and financial security in times of unforseen need.It is a milestone that has significantly improved their conditions of service, and I am proud that we leave this legacy behind.
Introduction of Health Insurance for Petroleum Tanker Drivers on Wheels:
Our out -gone administration, beginning December 2023, in partnership with Leadway Health Insurance,launched a first-of-its-kind health insurance scheme tailored specifically for our Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD)-the men and women”on the wheels”.
This Landmark initiative ensures that our drivers,across every corner of Nigeria, can access quality and emergency Healthcare while on duty.It reduces the risk of death or permanent injury from minor illnesses that were once neglected. By protecting the health of our drivers,we have not only safeguarded the backbone of our industry but also reaffirmed NUPENG’S unwavering commitment to the welfare of every member.
Organizing;
We did not just defend;we expanded.Over for fifty(50) new formal sector branches were organized across our four Zonal Councils-Kaduna.Lagos,Port Harcourt and Warri- in the last four year.
Training Workshops:
We have consistently convened annual National and Zonal Industrial Relations Workshops across all four Councils, covering topics from industry dynamics to workers’ rights.Through our partners-Fredrich Ebert Stiftung (FES)Solidarity Center,the NLC, and IndustriALL Global Union-our members and staff have gained invaluable capacity and exposure.
The Oil and Gas Industry Upstream:
I warmly salute and commend the sustained industrial harmony between workers and management, especially at TotalEnergies Nigeria, NNPC,Chevron Nigeria Limited, and Halliburton. This enduring peace reflects the maturity of both social partners and the supportive environment created by the government.
The toughest battles we faced during my tenure, and how did we tackled them?
The road was not always smooth. There were attempts by a few unscrupulous elements to impose an undemocratic ethos on our Union. Some sought to undermine our collective will, to short-circuit our constitution, and to plant seeds of division. They failed.
Today,we are not leaving a fractured house. We are leaving behind a stronger, more resilient,more democratic NUPENG-a Union that has defended its members,expanded its reach,built its assets and protected its soul.
My top advice for the next generation of NUPENG leaders?
To the incoming Executive, the baton is yours.Guard this Union jealously.Defend the rights of workers. Resist monopolistic control.And never forget that justice and power must always rest with the working class.
State of The Nation–Insecurity:
From the North-East to the South-South,insecurity is hampering our operations. Incidents of petroleum truck hijacking and kidnapping have risen sharply. Our members now spend more time to secure their businesses. We salute the courage of our security personnel, but we appeal to government to do more on their welfare and provision of more sophisticated equipment.
Roads Nationwide:
While acknowledging the efforts of the Federal Government on road infrastructure construction, it is important we bring to the attention of government, that many economic roads still remain impassable, and NUPENG members who traverse the nook and crannies of the country, among other Nigerians,distributing petroleum products and rendering other services, bear horrible challenges..We call for greater efforts as the rainy season sets in.
On Dangote Refinery Struggle:
It is on record that NUPENG supported the Dangote Refinery from inception to production and was very proud of the organization when it came on stream. In fact, our Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch played a pivotal role during its construction stages. However, when in June 2025, Alhaji Aliko Dangote announced plans to import thousands of CNG trucks to support the distribution value chains,we were happy as we believed it would create employment and improve seamless petroleum products distribution across the country and even beyond.
But in August 2025, drivers were recruited under restrictive conditions, forced to sign undertakings against Union membership-a direct violation of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution, Section 9(6) of the Labour Act,and ILO Convention No 87 (1984). Subsequently, this created an industrial relations crisis between NUPENG and the management of Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
Although an MoU affirming workers’ rights was signed on September 8,2025, subsequent actions-removal of Union stickers, violation of loading rules,and involvement of security forces-constituted a breach of faith. The management then ran to Court.
NUPENG remains resolute on this matter as we will pursue every lawful avenue to ensure that workers at Dangote Refinery enjoy their rights to Union representation and collective bargaining.
