During a meeting with Comrade Salimon Akanni Oladiti, President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Tinubu acknowledged the crucial role of the union in economic progress. He reiterated his commitment to removing fuel subsidies amidst previous threats of industrial action and stated that this policy shift aims to deliver direct benefits to workers and initiate long-term infrastructural projects across Nigeria.

Tinubu asserted the importance of making the refineries not just operational but profitable. He accepted responsibility for the existing challenges in the oil sector, vowing to work toward significant improvements for the populace. Highlighting the complexities of governance, he emphasized the need for endurance and determination in ushering in a better Nigeria.

On the other hand, Oladiti expressed grave concerns about the casualization of workers in the oil industry, which he termed “unwholesome.” He urged Tinubu to leverage his influence to address this issue, despite prior engagements yielding little success. He acknowledged the supportive role of the Minister of Labour but indicated the urgent need for concrete action against this trend in the upstream sector.

Moreover, Oladiti commended the government’s efforts in the rehabilitation of federal highways, which has enhanced the safety of petroleum truck journeys. He requested a similar focus on reviving the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC) depots, suggesting that they be managed by private investors to facilitate their rejuvenation. His appeal was consistent with the ongoing administration’s initiatives to resuscitate the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries through partnerships with Chinese firms, indicating a coordinated approach to bolster the oil sector’s infrastructure and functionality.