Comrade S.A Dada
National President 1984-1986
BIOGRAPHY OF COMRADE SAMUEL ADEWUNMI DADA
NATIONAL PRESIDENT (1984 – 1989)
Comrade Samuel Adewunmi Dada is a renowned veteran of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), who served as the union’s second National President from 1984 to 1989. He stands as a distinguished figure in Nigeria’s labor movement, particularly within the oil and gas sector. His leadership came at a time widely regarded as one of the most turbulent periods for trade unions in Nigeria’s socio-political history, and he is credited with helping to steer NUPENG through that challenging era with resilience and vision.
Comrade Samuel Adewunmi Dada was born on 14th November 1944 and hails from Usi, Ido/Osi Local Government Area, Ekiti State. He commenced his professional career with Cable & Wireless of London, which was later renamed Nigeria External Telecommunication Limited (NET) in 1967. His unionist career began in 1971 with the NET Association, which was subsequently banned in 1972. He then joined Gulf Oil Company, now known as Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), and on 1st May 1978, he was elected Vice Chairman of the Gulf Chapter.
Comrade Dada, true to his impeccable character and dedication to the Union’s survival even in the face of the military junta, earned the support of the union members and succeeded Comrade John Enas Dubre as National President. His leadership spanned five critical years, during which he navigated the union through complex industrial and political challenges.
His leadership significantly influenced the trajectory of labor relations within Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. Under his stewardship, NUPENG continued to assert its influence as a powerful voice for oil and gas workers in Nigeria.
He was known for his astute negotiation skills, firm stance on labor rights, and strategic engagement with both government and multinational oil companies. His presidency helped solidify NUPENG’s reputation as a formidable labor institution.
After his tenure as NUPENG President, Comrade Dada remained an influential elder statesman in the Union and within the labor community. He retired from Chevron in November 1999, after diligently serving for nearly 23 years, capping off a distinguished career in both corporate and union service. He currently leads the NUPENG Elder’s Consultative Forum as Chairman.
In 2024, Comrade Samuel Dada celebrated his 80th birthday in grand style at his residence in Lagos. The event was graced by the leadership of the Union, including Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha and Comrade Afolabi Olawale. This celebration is a testament to the enduring respect and admiration he commands among his peers and the younger generations of labor leaders.
