Tag: Nigeria Labour Congress NLC

FCT Teachers Join Strike Over Welfare Issues

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT Wing, has directed all primary and secondary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory to join the ongoing strike action organized by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), set to commence Monday, January 26, 2026. The directive follows a call by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for affiliate unions in the FCT to escalate industrial action.

In a communiqué signed by NUT officials Abdullahi Shafas, Margaret Jethro, and Ibukun Adekeye, teachers were instructed to stay away from classrooms and converge at the National Industrial Court on Gimbiya Street, Area 11, Abuja, by 7 a.m. to show solidarity during the hearing of a case filed against JUAC.

The union reaffirmed its commitment to negotiations with authorities to address outstanding welfare concerns, including non-remittance of pension and housing fund contributions, centralization of salary processing, and unpaid allowances for staff of the Abuja Environment Protection Board and Social Development Secretariat. “In pursuit of justice and to demonstrate our collective resolve, we must stand together. A people united can never be defeated,” the statement said.

The strike comes after FCTA workers under JUAC began an indefinite industrial action on January 19, citing unresolved welfare and operational issues affecting teacher morale and productivity. NUT urged members to remain steadfast and promised to provide updates as developments unfold.

26/01/2026
Abuja Workers Protest, NLC Backs Strike

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja as part of an ongoing total and indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes.

The protest followed an NLC directive endorsing the industrial action, which the union described as a response to persistent violations of workers’ rights by the FCTA management and political leadership. The union said the strike would continue until key demands were addressed.

During the protest, workers displayed placards bearing messages such as “Pay promotion arrears,” “Enough is Enough,” and “No working tools,” while others carried politically charged slogans reflecting broader grievances with the administration.

The action underscores growing tensions between FCTA workers and authorities, as labour leaders insist that dialogue and concrete commitments are needed to resolve the impasse and restore normal activities.

26/01/2026
BREAKING: NLC Protest Over Insecurity Grounds Activities In Enugu

Economic and social activities in Enugu were disrupted on Wednesday as the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) commenced a protest against rising insecurity across the country.

The demonstration was led by the Enugu State NLC Chairman, Comrade Fabian Nwigbo, who expressed concern over what he described as the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

Addressing protesters, Nwigbo urged the government to take urgent and decisive steps to protect lives and property, stressing that insecurity has continued to threaten the wellbeing of workers and the wider public.

The protest in Enugu followed an earlier announcement by the NLC of plans to stage a nationwide demonstration to draw attention to insecurity and demand stronger government action.

Ahead of the protests, the NLC’s National President, Joe Ajaero, alongside human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and other stakeholders, had gathered at the congress’ national headquarters to coordinate the exercise.

The labour union said the protest was part of efforts to pressure authorities to prioritise security and address the growing concerns of citizens across the country.

17/12/2025
NLC Gives Four-Week Ultimatum to End ASUU Strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have united to push for a lasting resolution to the persistent disruptions in Nigeria’s academic calendar.

On Monday, the NLC issued a four-week ultimatum to the federal government to conclude negotiations with all academic and non-academic unions in tertiary institutions nationwide.

The NLC convened a meeting at its national headquarters in Abuja with leaders of ASUU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), and other tertiary education unions to address the ongoing strike and related concerns.

The Nigerian higher education system has been plagued by recurring strikes, with the latest closure of universities prompted by ASUU’s industrial action. ASUU National President, Professor Chris Piwuna, announced the strike at the University of Abuja following the expiry of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the government on September 28. The union cited unresolved issues, including staff welfare, infrastructure, salary arrears, and full implementation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement.

Despite recent negotiations, the government’s efforts—including the release of N50 billion for earned academic allowances and a N150 billion allocation in the 2025 budget for a needs assessment—were deemed insufficient by ASUU. The union demands full implementation of the 2009 agreement, payment of withheld salaries, sustainable university funding, protection against victimisation, and settlement of outstanding promotions and deductions.

The NLC expressed full solidarity with ASUU and other tertiary education unions, urging robust participation and adherence to the principle of “No Pay, No Work” to enforce compliance with collective agreements.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, NLC National President Joe Ajaero said:

“We have decided to give the federal government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. If after four weeks the negotiation is not concluded, the NEC will take nationwide action involving all unions to address the root of the problem.”

He criticized the government’s no-work-no-pay policy against striking members, stating that most industrial actions in Nigeria result from failure to honor agreements.

Professor Piwuna of ASUU backed the NLC’s stance, emphasizing that the union would no longer negotiate with government representatives lacking proper mandates.

“We will fully back the NLC to ensure the government does not take our unions for granted and gives education the attention it rightly deserves,” he said.

The ASUU strike entered its eighth day on Tuesday, following a two-week warning strike last week, which prompted strong resistance from the government.

21/10/2025
NLC, TUC Lock Down Taraba Over Biometric Irregularities

Government operations in Taraba State have been crippled following the commencement of an indefinite strike by the state chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The industrial action, which began at midnight on Monday, August 11, 2025, was declared after a joint State Executive Council meeting on Sunday at the NLC Secretariat in Jalingo. The unions cited alleged irregularities in the activities of the state’s Biometric Data Capture Committee and the government’s failure to address their grievances despite an earlier ultimatum.

In a bulletin co-signed by NLC State Secretary Adamu W. Buba and TUC State Secretary Polina I. Gani, affiliate branches were directed to mobilise strike committees to ensure total compliance. “All workers are hereby directed to stay away from their places of work and withdraw their services until further notice,” the statement read.

Union leaders said the strike would continue until the government corrected the alleged wrongs, urging stakeholders to intervene. As of press time, the state government had not issued a response, while public offices and services across Jalingo and other parts of the state remained at a standstill.

11/08/2025
FCT Primary Schools Reopen as Teachers Call Off Strike

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has officially suspended its over three-month-old strike by primary school teachers, directing all members to resume duties on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

The strike, which began on March 24, 2025, stemmed from unresolved issues including unpaid salary arrears and the non-implementation of the new national minimum wage.

A resolution came after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, July 3, aimed at finding a lasting solution. The minister pledged that 10% of the area councils’ internally generated revenue would be allocated to clear the teachers’ outstanding salaries.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting held on Friday, July 4, at the FCT Teachers’ House in Gwagwalada, the union said the minister’s intervention and the release of ₦16 billion prompted the decision to halt the strike.

“Having deliberated exhaustively… and noting the positive disposition of the minister to take over the payment of primary school teachers’ emoluments through the FCTA, the SWEC resolved to suspend the strike on the release of the ₦16 billion and its payment to teachers’ accounts,” the union stated.

The SWEC confirmed that five months’ salary arrears were paid on Tuesday, July 8, and urged teachers to return to the classrooms while the union continues pursuing the remaining entitlements.

The union expressed gratitude to stakeholders who supported their cause, including traditional rulers, civil society organisations, the NUT national leadership, and the NLC.

09/07/2025
NLC protest action may bring anarchy– TUC

The Trade Union Congress has warned that the planned protest on February 27 and 28 being championed by the Nigeria Labour Congress may lead to anarchy.

This is as the union stated that the country was too volatile and tense because of the prevailing hunger in the land.

This warning was made by the Deputy President of the TUC, Dr Tommy Etim, in an interview with Punch.

The Organised Labour plans to embark on a two-day strike on Tuesday and Wednesday to protest the hardship currently being faced by Nigerians following the dramatic hike in the prices of goods and services due to the removal of fuel subsidy and the free fall of the naira, among others.

Pockets of protests had broken out in Kano, Niger, Oyo and Osun, among other states, with protesters urging the government to take decisive steps to bring the hardship to an end.

Nigeria’s annual inflation rate climbed to a near 28-year high of 29.9 per cent in January, up from 28.9 per cent in December and above market forecasts of 29.5 per cent.

Food prices are at an all-time high, with a bag of long-grain rice hitting N77,000.

Several videos online have shown netizens lamenting the increase in the prices of consumer goods like toothpaste, butter, and tin tomatoes, among others, and asking the President, Bola Tinubu to intervene.

Many have also expressed their willingness to join the NLC protest to press home their demands for a change in the economic trajectory of the country.

However, the TUC backed out, saying that it was not aware of the planned rally. This caused a crack in the wall of the Organised Labour.

Although the NLC has insisted that the two-day rally must be held, the TUC has stated that it will not be part of the demonstration.

Etim, while commenting on the planned rally, stated that it was ill-timed and urged the NLC not to plunge the country into anarchy.

Speaking on why the TUC backed out of the proposed protest, the labour leader accused the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, of running a one-man show by failing to carry members of the TUC along in his decision to declare a two-day strike.

Etim said the NLC had slighted the TUC in making unilateral decisions four times, adding that it was now a deliberate act.

He said, “When one claims that a mistake is done and it is one that a mistake can be accepted as a mistake, but, when it is up to four times, it is now a deliberate action.

“The first thing is that when you issue an ultimatum to the government, the NEC is supposed to meet to review it. When they do, they will then make a decision.

“In this case, the ultimatum given to the Federal Government was still on and the NLC president decided to announce that they would be going on protest as though he had not been in industrial relations practice or law. It baffles us. We cannot take that.

“What is the essence of unionism if you don’t come together for a particular cause? So, adopting a situation where two centres have been on the ground and one feels it has superior knowledge is not a good one at all.

“I feel that he should be sensitive to know that the struggle is not a one-party affair and we must save the country. We have to be a united force. And we have also said that a people united cannot be defeated. The President must leave up to his responsibility.”

24/02/2024
Labour submits representatives for minimum wage panel

The organised labour has submitted a list of its representatives who will represent Nigerian workers on the negotiation panel which is set to be constituted by the Federal Government, this was necessitated ahead of negotiations for the payment of a new minimum wage scheduled to commence in April, 2024.

The Federal Government in its usual ways often set up a tripartite committee for a minimum wage implementation, to ensure smooth negotiations.

The committee would have some members, representing the organised labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), alongside officials of government and the private sector in the committee.

It was captured in the 2024 budget proposed the sum of N1tn to cater to minimum wage adjustment and other expenses.

Government officials insisted that the minimum wage would align with the current standard of living in the country, inline with this, the amount would later be streamlined.

There have been several calls for an increase in the minimum wage by the organised labour, since the period of removal of fuel subsidy by the President, during his May 29, 2023 inaugural speech, which led to hike in cost of living.

Government had earlier approved the sum of N35,000 monthly as wage award for workers pending the time when the new minimum wage would commence, for its assumed negotiations were not yet time for a new minimum wage.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, in a statement said, “the new minimum wage will commence in April 2024.”

The Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, who spoke with newsmen on Thursday on telephone said, “though the union was not aware of the constitution of a new minimum wage panel, but the government had asked the organised labour to send a list of its representatives.

Upah further stressed that, “The Federal Government reached asked us to send in our list of nominees or names of those who would represent us in the committee late last year and we complied appropriately, but not aware the committee has been constituted now.”

In the same vein, the Trade Union Congress Vice President, Tommy Etim, expressed that the unions were worried over the late constitution of the panel and assured Nigerians that “no stone would be left unturned to effectively negotiate with the government on the new National Minimum Wage for the betterment of the citizenry.”

19/01/2024
No court order stopping labour from peaceful protest– NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has told the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, that there is no order, be it interim, interlocutory or perpetual, from either the National Industrial Court or any other court restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by it.

It also reminded the Federal Government, through the Solicitor-General, that there is a subsisting judgement that the right to demonstrate and protest on matters of public concern was in the public interest, which individuals must possess and exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act was done.

The Labour Centre stated these via a letter from Falana chambers to the Permanent Secretary/Solicitor-General, with the title ”Re-NLC in contempt of court,” signed by Sam Ogala Esq.

The letter is coming on the heels of organised labour’s proposed protest for Wednesday, August 2, over the removal of subsidy on petrol, its attendant hardship on Nigerians and the inability of the government to roll out palliatives to cushion the harsh effect of the stoppage of subsidy payment.

The letter read: “In your reaction to the decision of Nigerian workers to participate in peaceful rallies to protest the worsening economic crisis in the country, you were reported to have accused the leaders of Nigeria Labour Congress of treating the order of the National Industrial Court with contempt.

“Contrary to your unwarranted allegation, the Nigeria Labour Congress does not intend to disobey the ex parte order of the National Industrial Court to the effect that ‘The defendants/Respondents are hereby restrained from embarking on the planned industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice, dated June 5, 2023.’

“You will agree with us that the National Industrial Court or any other court has not granted an order of interim, interlocutory or perpetual injunction restraining Nigerian workers from participating in peaceful rallies convened by the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“Since the constitutional right of Nigerian workers to protest peacefully cannot by any stretch of imagination be classified as an industrial action or strike of any nature, you ought not to have threatened our client with contempt of court.

“It is pertinent to draw your attention to the case of Inspector-General of Police v All Nigeria Peoples Party (2008) 12 WRN 65 where the court upheld the fundamental right of Nigerians to protest without police permit. In the leading judgment of the court, Justice Adekeye said as follows:

“The right to demonstrate and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.

“If as speculated by law enforcement agents that breach of the peace would occur, our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.

”Finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the republic; our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.

“Having advised the Nigeria Labour Congress and its allies to conduct the rallies peacefully, you may wish to advise the Nigeria Police Force to comply with section 83(4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020, which states that ‘where a person or organization notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting rally or procession will take place shall mobilize personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or procession.”

31/07/2023
NLC blames courts for present hardships, underdevelopment

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has accused the courts in the country of being responsible for the present sufferings; hardships and underdevelopment the citizenry are passing through.

NLC also urged Nigerians to disregard the alleged state-sponsored rallies aimed at enslaving workers, stressing that the rallies are clear reminders of the Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha movement days that forced them to reminiscence the days of the bespectacled dictator that ran roughshod over the nation and trampled upon all known democratic and civil rights of the citizens and workers.

President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who stated this in his address at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Rain School of the congress in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, told workers to be battle-ready and brace for another round of struggle for the emancipation of the people and the workers.

He said that the earlier nationwide action organized by labour over the removal of fuel subsidy was allegedly sabotaged by an abnormal injunction procured and served on NLC in “unholy circumstances” from the Courts by the Government.

“Whether this antics of manipulating the Courts to sabotage our collective resolve will work this time is going to be left in the hands of Nigerians and the seriousness with which they see the imminent peril which our lives are being subjected to. That is why we want Nigerian workers and Nigerian people to blame all our present sufferings, hardships and underdevelopment on the Courts,” he said.

He said, “It is said that after the rain comes shine! Today, it is shining brighter and brighter! At the end of every journey is a time of reckoning and a time to say goodbyes! Time to evaluate what has been done and what has been accomplished! We have all spent a fruitful week learning new skills and getting empowered for the battle ahead; the struggles for a more humane and inclusive globe where workers will no longer be seen as appendages but as critical players towards greater wealth creation and development.

“Comrades! That is why it is indeed with great pleasure and honour that I stand with you on this auspicious occasion that marks the end of this year’s Rain School. The hard work has been done and we believe, the harvests and its various outcomes would soon be demonstrated in new deeper and more robust engagements with the social partners especially as we grapple with the increasing threat of neo-liberalism and its offshoots such as the incipient and burgeoning anti-poor; pro-capital policies of the government of Nigeria.

“It is important that we quickly draw your attention to the insensitive and utterly unacceptable hike in the prices of Petroleum products by the government of Nigeria in the midst of the suffering occasioned by the earlier hike of same product price to N537/litre on the 29th day of May 2023. Nigerians were yet to grapple with the shock of that inauguration day price increase when just few days ago, we were shocked with the announcement of a fresh price hike to N617/litre by the agents of the federal government. To us comrades, this is most unconscionable and a further attempt at emasculating an already suffering and bent Nigerians who are currently groaning under the yoke of an unbending malevolent group presently occupying the corridors of power.

“We have pointed this out so as to prepare all of our minds on the battle that awaits all of us as we leave this place. The skills we have acquired here must be used to strategically respond to this nascent wickedness if we must remain relevant as the people cry out and ask; where is Labour and where is the NLC? A cry is out there in the streets comrades and we must respond creatively and timely to those calls. It is in the nature and robustness of our response that the testimony of what we have acquired these past days will be borne. It is truly going to be a demonstration of our resilience which is anchored on how we are able to meet with the desires and expectations of those who look up to us for the articulation and defense of their rights and privileges.

“It is on this note that we call on all Nigerians to get ready to join hands with us as we begin preparation to build a coalition of all Nigerian people; from the North to the South and from the East to the West. A Coalition of the suffering, oppressed and deprived where everyone will be a leader and everyone will be a follower. Hunger and poverty transcend ethnic and religious boundaries and it is our collective and indeed civic duty to save ourselves and our nation from the clutches of these mindless policies.

“Nigerians must disregard the state sponsored rallies aimed at further enslaving us. These rallies are clear reminders of the Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha movement days and truly forces us to reminiscence the days of the bespectacled dictator who ran roughshod over our nation and trampled upon all known democratic and civil rights of the citizens and workers.

“As we brace for another round of struggle for the emancipation of our people and ourselves, we call on all of us who have attended this year’s programme to take charge and provide leadership in their various constituencies so that together, we can generate the critical mass needed to compel this government to listen to the wishes of Nigerian people.

“Comrades! Our earlier nationwide action was sabotaged by an abnormal injunction procured and served on us in unholy circumstances from the Courts by the Government.”

Continuing, he said, “As we gird our loins with the lessons from our various discourses here and as we eagerly prepare for our various destinations in and out of Nigeria, we urge you not to remain forever as students. The success of this week can only be measured by what you are able to do with it and how you are able to impact lives and your different unions. Nietsche reminds us that the worst thing we can do to our teachers is to remain students forever!

“We therefore urge you to impart on others the lessons learnt here. Apply them and use it to change whatever platform or society that we come across. Be worthy ambassadors of this school and let the light that has been lit in you here shine brightly wherever you go and in whatever you do”.

22/07/2023