NUPENG AND OTHER KEY UNIONS IN NIGERIA’S ENERGY AND CHEMICAL SECTORS LAUNCHED WORKERS’ CHARTER OF DEMAND FOR JUST AND GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION IN LAGOS

WORKERS’ CHARTER OF DEMAND FOR JUST AND GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION UNVEILED IN LAGOS

By Comrade Suleiman M. Pema.

In a landmark event held at the NUPENG Towers in Lagos on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) unveiled the Workers’ Charter of Demand on Just Energy Transition. This initiative, developed over six months of intensive collaboration, seeks to protect Nigerian workers, their families, and communities during the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.  

The charter was the result of a joint effort by three key unions in Nigeria’s energy and chemical sectors: The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather, and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE). Supported by FES, the project aimed to ensure that workers are not left vulnerable in the transition to a low-carbon economy.  

Mrs. Remi Ihejirika, FES Project Coordinator, highlighted that the process involved extensive fieldwork and stakeholder engagement, rather than relying solely on desk research. The outcome was a comprehensive Workers’ Charter of Demand+, which outlines ten critical areas to safeguard workers’ rights and interests during the energy transition.  

Key Demands of the Charter  

Includes the following demands:  

Job Security and Creation, Right to Decent Work, Social Protection and Welfare, Skills Development and Training, Environmental Sustainability, Establishment of a Just Transition Fund, Establishment of a Tripartite Commission for Social Dialogue on Just Transition, Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion and Establishment of an Implementation, Monitoring and Documentation Committee.  

Mr. Tunde Salman, the consultant on the project, emphasized that a just transition must balance climate action with sustainable development. “We, the workers of Nigeria, recognize the urgent need for a low-carbon economy, but we demand that this transition prioritize the rights, interests, and well-being of workers, their families, and communities,” he stated.  

Union Leaders Applaud the Initiative  

NUPENG General Secretary Afolabi Olawale praised the initiative as a milestone in labour relations, noting that it was the first time Nigerian workers had a documented framework for their demands on just transition. Similarly, NUCFRLANMPE President Sunday Bolarinwa commended the collaborative spirit among the unions and expressed confidence that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) would adopt and champion the charter.  

Next Steps  

Mrs. Ihejirika announced that FES plans to convene an expanded dialogue in Abuja next week, bringing together government representatives, employers, trade unions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to further advance the initiative.  

The unveiling of the Workers’ Charter of Demand marks a significant step in ensuring that Nigerian workers are not left behind in the global shift toward renewable energy. As Adebiyi Adeyeye aptly put it, “This charter must become part of the national dialogue on just transition, and we call on all stakeholders to join us in making this a reality.”