The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has charged the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to push for the revival of moribund refineries across Nigeria.

PETROAN National Public Relations Officer, Dr Joseph Obele, in a congratulatory message on the emergence of Salimon Oladiti as NUPENG President, emphasized that restoring these refineries will promote healthy competition in the downstream sector, prevent monopolistic dominance, create employment opportunities across the value chain, and significantly boost national economic development.

He stressed that functional refineries will also enhance energy security and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

Obele, on behalf of PETROAN President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, described the development as a major consolidation within the downstream petroleum sector.

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He noted that Oladiti’s emergence represents continuity, unity, and a renewed commitment to collaboration among key industry stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that under the new leadership, the welfare of petroleum workers will be further strengthened, while the collective voice of stakeholders will become more vibrant and influential in advancing national development.

Also, commended the service of the former President, Williams Akporeha, noting that his tenure witnessed remarkable achievements, including improved staff welfare, significant salary enhancements, infrastructural development such as the NUPENG national headquarters, and the maintenance of industrial peace and a stable working environment.

He reaffirmed PETROAN’s commitment to continued partnership with NUPENG in promoting efficiency, stability, and shared prosperity across Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

In addition, he encouraged the new NUPENG leadership to consolidate a productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the Dangote Refinery, noting that strong collaboration between organised labour and major refining operators is essential for operational stability, fair market practices, and the overall growth of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

“PETROAN remains confident that under Comrade Oladiti’s leadership, NUPENG will continue to foster industrial harmony, deepen stakeholder engagement, and protect the collective interests of workers and operators in the downstream petroleum sector,” he added.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that a monthly salary of ₦1 million has become practically worthless to Nigerian workers due to the continued instability of the naira and rising inflation.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), where he expressed concern over the declining purchasing power of workers across the country.

According to Ajaero, the focus of organised labour is not just on increasing wages, but on ensuring that the value of the naira is strong enough to sustain workers and their families.

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“Even if Nigerian workers earn ₦1 million, it will not be meaningful if the naira has no value,” he said. “What we need is a stable currency that can carry workers through the month.”

He lamented that the persistent rise in the cost of living has made it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to afford basic necessities, including food, transportation and housing.

The NLC boss noted that the ongoing discussions surrounding a new national minimum wage must follow due legal process and cannot be rushed.

“The minimum wage has not been negotiated yet. It is governed by law and tied to a review cycle. When the time comes, we will begin the process ahead of its expiration,” Ajaero explained.

He called on the federal government to take urgent steps to cushion the impact of inflation, stressing that current economic conditions have worsened the hardship faced by workers.

Ajaero also linked the growing economic pressure to rising fuel prices, which he said have significantly increased transportation costs and driven up food prices nationwide.

“We raised concerns when global factors began to affect local fuel prices, but unfortunately, the situation has not improved,” he said.

The labour leader further emphasised the need for Nigeria to build a resilient energy policy that can shield the country from external economic shocks.

“It is not ideal that developments in other parts of the world automatically translate into hardship for Nigerians. We must create systems that protect our economy,” he added.

On pension matters, Ajaero raised concerns about the emergence of multiple pension unions, warning that the development has created confusion within the system.

He disclosed that the NLC is engaging stakeholders to address the issue and ensure proper coordination, particularly in the areas of deductions and remittances.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming Workers’ Day celebration, Ajaero revealed that any protest actions would be limited to states that have not fully implemented the approved minimum wage.

“Any protest will not be nationwide. It will only take place in states that have failed to comply with the minimum wage implementation,” he clarified.

He, however, acknowledged that while many states have complied, some are yet to fully implement the policy, especially at the local government level and in the education sector.

He also pointed out issues with consequential salary adjustments, noting that some states are paying only the minimum wage without properly adjusting other salary structures.

“These are technical issues we must address. We will assess compliance levels before May Day,” he said.

Ajaero reaffirmed the commitment of the NLC to continue advocating for policies that will improve workers’ welfare and ensure economic stability.

He also commended the federal government for reviewing peculiar allowances and approving a 100 per cent duty tour allowance for civil servants, expressing hope that the measures will be effectively implemented.

Founder and President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote at the weekend, has pledged to construct a hostel valued at ₦550 million for the students at Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State. He equally made a donation of N25 million to the students of the institution via their Student Union Government.

Dangote was at the institution to deliver a public lecture on Enterprise, Leadership and Service to Humanity. The hostel when completed will help to alleviate the shortages of accommodation for students of FUTO.

In his presentation, the foremost industrialist encouraged the students with the history of his humble beginning in business as a distributor of bagged cement and other items. He said that despite making money by trading in commodities, he decided to embark on a backward integration process, producing locally, those goods he used to import.

He stated that importing finished products into Nigeria is equivalent to importing poverty, inflation and unemployment while exporting raw materials. Importation of finished products creates jobs, prosperity and development in the exporting countries, he added.

According to him, the decision to embrace manufacturing is to create jobs and add values to the raw materials that were usually exported. He said a major key in industrialization is looking inwards, that investors in the industrial sector should come from the citizens. He added that he refuses to invest in Nigeria and Africa, no foreign investor will be willing to stake his funds here.

Drawing examples from Asia, he said, ‘Asian economies powered by Asians not foreign investment. They are the ones who invested in their countries. They did not wait for foreigners to come and develop their economies.’

Turning to the students, he said Nigerian youths are endowed with innovative spirit and could hold their own anywhere around the globe. He stated that many fresh graduates of engineering who were recruited and trained by Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser have been poached by companies in the Gulf region who treat them as expatriates.

He said, “We face significant economic and social challenges, but we also sit on enormous opportunity: a young and energetic population, abundant natural resources, and an entrepreneurial spirit that is unmatched across the continent. In my own journey through business and industry, entrepreneurship has shown itself to be one of the most powerful tools for transforming challenges into opportunities. When young people are equipped with technical skills, mentorship, and access to capital, they do not just seek jobs – they create them. They build enterprises that diversify our economy beyond oil, strengthen local industries, and fuel sustainable development.”

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He challenged the students to be innovative and creative, ready to learn and adapt as to be able to add value to the society. Drawing examples from China, he told the students that China has the highest number of people in the engineering field, which has made the country the leading centre of manufacturing and industrial development.

Photo Caption
From Left: Vice – Chancellor Federal University Technology (FUTO) Prof. Nnenna N. Oti; President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited/Guest Lecturer on Enterprise, Leadership and Service to Humanity, Aliko Dangote; Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) Senator Jack Tilly-Gyado; during the Commissioning of ACE – FUELS Laboratory by President/CE, DIL/Guest Lecturer, at the 37th Public Lecture of the FUTO in Owerri Imo State on Saturday 25th April 2026