President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has pledged to revive Nigeria’s oil refineries through a comprehensive reset and restructuring, assuring that the facilities will not be allowed to waste away despite years of neglect.
Speaking at the State House in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the National Executive of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), led by its President, Comrade (Dr. Otunba) Salimon Akanni Oladiti (JP), the President emphasized that his administration is committed to evidence-based solutions rather than short-term fixes.
“The refineries are going to come back to work. We are building a firm, structural reworking of the economy around them. No matter what has happened in the past, it is now my responsibility as President to fix it and make it work for the greatest common good,” Tinubu said.
Commitment to Reform and Inclusion
President Tinubu assured NUPENG of greater inclusion in the implementation of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), urging the union to ensure that the benefits of the programme reach commuters. He also paid tribute to the late Frank Kokori, former NUPENG General Secretary, recalling his role in the struggle for democracy.
Union’s Endorsement
Comrade Oladiti commended the President for his bold decision to remove fuel subsidy, describing it as a courageous step that has freed resources for infrastructure development. He cited ongoing projects such as the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway as evidence of reforms already benefiting workers and road users.
“For our members, a good road is the difference between arriving home safely and never arriving at all. Every stretch of highway rehabilitated or constructed means fewer accidents, fewer spillages, fewer lives lost, and less stress for the men behind the wheels,” Oladiti said.
He further urged the President to sustain efforts to revive the refineries, strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, and address the persistent casualisation of workers in the oil and gas industry, particularly in the upstream sector. Oladiti described the practice as “unhealthy” and appealed for presidential intervention to compel companies to end it.
Government’s Response
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, praised NUPENG’s recognition of the administration’s reforms, noting that such validation from a major trade union reflects growing alignment between labour and government.
High-Level Delegation
The NUPENG President was accompanied by a high-profile delegation of senior union leaders and stakeholders, including immediate past NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Eniredonana Akporeha, former General Secreatry, Comrade (Hon) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja and Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman, National President of NARTO.
Others are National Deputy President, Comrade Oladejo Ebenezer Akin; National Deputy President, Comrade Prince Moses; Acting General Secretary, Comrade Onohwohwo Otite; National Treasurer, Comrade Baba Usman Kaumi; National Trustee, Comrade Omokero Israel; National Auditor Comrade Leke Adepegha; National Auditor, Comrade Ogbodo Thompson; Comrade Tina Smart, National Financial Secretary; Comrade Abubakar Bagzumta, Vice President, Kaduna Zone; Comrade Victoria Modupe, Vice President, Lagos Zone.
Others in attendance were, Comrade Ezenwa Kingsley, Vice President, Port-Harcourt Zone; Comrade Charles lyenana, Vice President, Warri Zone; Comrade Olayemi Samuel, Chairman, Lagos Zone;.Comrade Bestman Friday, Chairman, P/H Zone; Comrade Onwuchekwa Godswill, Chairman, Warri Zone; Comrade Abdullahi Haruna, Chairman, Kaduna Zone; Comrade Mathias O. Ote, National Adviser (Informal Sector).
Also on the high profile delegation were, Comrade Paulosa Paulosa, Secretary, GEC; Comrade Gbolahan Saheed Adigun, NUPENG National Security Coordinator; Comrade Solomon Kilanko, National Ex-officio, Lagos Zone; Comrade Vincent Ukhuakhua, and Senior Asst. General Secretary (F&A).
The meeting concluded with NUPENG decorating President Tinubu as the Grand Patron of the Union, symbolizing solidarity and partnership in advancing Nigeria’s energy and labour sectors.
See more pictures and a video below:
