ABEOKUTA — The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government, threatening a nationwide mass action over the escalating insecurity, rising poverty, and worsening cost-of-living crisis across the country.
Rising from its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the NLC declared that Nigerian workers would no longer remain passive while the nation’s economy deteriorates and democratic values erode.
In a communiqué jointly signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the union decried the loss of nearly 700,000 lives in just one year due to insecurity, describing it as a figure typically associated with countries in active war.
“When farmers can no longer access their lands to farm, famine becomes a looming danger,” the communiqué warned.
The congress condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s consistent failure to secure lives and property and called for immediate and decisive action.
“The time for talk shops and empty promises has passed. What is needed now are concrete actions,” it stated.
Insecurity Threatens National Food Security
Sources at the closed-door meeting revealed that union members expressed grave concerns over the country’s deteriorating security situation, stating that no region in Nigeria is currently safe.
One of the leaders from the agricultural sector warned that with ongoing attacks on farmers and farmlands, the nation risks a catastrophic food crisis.
“As I speak, many of our members have stopped going to the farm out of fear. Every day, we hear of farmers being killed and farmlands destroyed. If this continues, there will come a time when no one will farm again,” he lamented.
State of Emergency Demanded on Insecurity
Delegates at the meeting called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity and empower security agencies to act decisively, particularly against armed herders and bandits.
They criticized the government’s “talk show” approach to insecurity, stressing that a more forceful and coordinated strategy is urgently needed.
Workers Buckling Under Economic Strain
The NLC also raised alarm over the rising cost of living, surging inflation, and eroded purchasing power, saying Nigerian workers are at a breaking point.
“The escalating economic hardship has kept millions in multi-dimensional poverty. Workers and their families are bearing the brunt of unrelenting inflation, soaring food prices, and prohibitive transport costs,” the communiqué noted.
Labour Rejects Move to Strip Its Legislative Protection
The NLC further warned against attempts by lawmakers to remove labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List, a move it described as “a plot to impoverish workers.”
“All Nigerian workers are to begin mobilisation to picket the offices of any National Assembly member supporting this unconstitutional agenda,” the union warned.
Demand for Good Governance and Electoral Reforms
The congress also called for urgent electoral and governance reforms to eliminate vote-buying, end political patronage, and ensure merit-based leadership recruitment.
“There must be a deliberate effort to end the cycle of mediocrity that has hijacked governance in Nigeria,” the communiqué stated.
Osun LG Funds Controversy: NLC Accuses Top Officials of Collusion
The union accused the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of colluding to withhold local government allocations meant for elected councils in Osun State.
It described the action as a violation of the constitution and a threat to democratic governance, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the funds or face “decisive action.”
Defending Workers’ Rights
On trade union membership, the NLC condemned what it termed “persistent violations” of the Trade Union Act 2005, warning employers against forcing workers to join specific unions.
“All affected unions have been directed to mobilise and picket any employer violating this law,” it said.
Appreciation for CNG Buses, Call for Infrastructure Rollout
While acknowledging the Federal Government’s donation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to ease transportation costs, the NLC called for accelerated nationwide deployment of CNG infrastructure to provide long-term relief to workers.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending Nigeria’s democracy and workers’ rights, the NLC concluded:
“We remain unwavering in our resolve to champion economic justice and social progress for all Nigerians.”
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