The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has accused the Federal Government of repeatedly breaching labour agreements across key sectors and undermining workers’ rights and interests, warning that workers are prepared to take decisive action if the pattern of neglect continues.
The allegation was made during the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held recently in Lagos, where unresolved issues in the education and health sectors dominated discussions.
NLC president, Joe Ajaero, said unions have reached breaking point over what he described as “a consistent culture of disregard” for agreements signed with workers as far back as 2009.
“The government has been guilty of not obeying agreements,” Ajaero declared. “The crisis we are facing with ASUU, NASU, SSANU and others stems from the refusal to honour signed commitments. This is no longer acceptable,” he said.
Ajaero noted that even ongoing renegotiations had reached a deadlock due to the Federal Government’s alleged reluctance to return to the negotiating table.
According to him, the NLC is now considering solidarity actions across affected sectors “to ensure that the sanctity of agreements is respected at all times.”
He said the breakdown in trust extends beyond education, pointing to the lingering industrial unrest in the health sector. “The government is withdrawing because of the same agreement they don’t want to honour,” he added.
The NLC president also raised alarm over rising insecurity, warning that workers are increasingly becoming targets of violent attacks, kidnappings and ransom demands.
“Only God knows the number of workers kidnapped with outrageous ransom demands. We can no longer bear this. It’s getting out of hand,” Ajaero lamented.
He disclosed that the NLC would soon announce a nationwide protest to demand accountability from security agencies and political leaders.
Ajaero questioned what he called “suspicious lapses” in recent security operations, citing the abduction of students at Government Girls’ College, Maga in Kebbi State. Reports, he said, suggested security personnel were withdrawn shortly before the attack.
“Never again shall we watch while kidnappers and bandits take over,” he vowed. “The NEC will take a strong stand to know what is happening and demand answers.”
The Labour leader further criticised the state of the power sector, saying Nigerians had gained nothing from years of reforms. He decried soaring fuel prices and the scarcity of compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure. “A litre is almost N1,000 in some places. Where are the CNG stations?” he asked.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), who also addressed the NEC, cautioned against calls for foreign military intervention, insisting that Nigerians must hold their government accountable for security failures.
“We do not want foreign intervention,” Falana stressed. “We must mobilise and compel the government to defend Nigeria. And on unionisation, nobody is above the law, any employer stopping workers from joining unions is engaging in an illegal act.”