Comrade Igwe Achese
National President 2009-2018
BIOGRAPHY OF COMRADE IGWE ACHESE
NUPENG PRESIDENT (2009 – 2018)
Comrade Igwe Achese is the 7th National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG). He led this great Union for Eight (8) years, from 2009 to 2018—a period widely recognized as the foundation for the union’s transformation from analogue to digital systems, with remarkable achievements to his credit.
Comrade Igwe Achese born on August 22, 1965, is a native of Okrika in River State, Nigeria. He pursued his education at Enito High School in Bokori, Port Harcourt, proceeded to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu and furthered his studies at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Comrade Achese’s commitment to continuous learning led him to attend various professional courses both domestically and internationally, including programs at the National Labour College in Maryland, USA, and negotiation training at Harvard Law School.
He commenced his career with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (now NNPCL) in 1991. As a man with passion for workers’ rights and welfare, he joined the Union and became engaged actively in the union activities. He began as a committee-level representative at the Port-Harcourt Refinery in 1993 and rose through the ranks. His leadership trajectory included roles such as Branch Chairman of the Port-Harcourt Refinery Branch of NUPENG (1998–2000), Port-Harcourt Zonal Chairman, Deputy President of NUPENG in 2005. Despite the challenges encountered along his union journey, Comrade Achese’s unwavering commitment to workers’ rights and fair labor practices led to his election as National President of NUPENG in 2009, succeeding Comrade Hon. Peter Akpatason.
Comrade Igwe Achese spearheaded numerous initiatives that significantly enhanced the union’s infrastructure and influence. In 2016, he was elected Chairperson of the Nigeria Chapter of IndustriALL Global Union, a testament to his influence beyond national borders.
Comrade Achese prioritized capacity building, sending National Executive Council members for training in Great Britain and Dubai, and organizing regular zonal and national workshops.
In recognition of his contributions to labor relations and human resource development, Achese was conferred with a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, in Human Resources Management and Leadership by the European-American University, Commonwealth of Dominica.
He resides in his hometown of Okrika, Rivers State, with a keen interest and desire to serve his people, showcasing his commitment to public service and community development.
