NLC gives FG one-week ultimatum over unresolved labour issues, threatens nationwide strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government to take immediate steps to resolve outstanding labour-related grievances or face a nationwide strike.

In a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero after the union’s Central Working Committee meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the NLC accused the government of dragging its feet on key commitments.

The union faulted the government for failing to constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and alleged the diversion of workers’ funds through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

The committee, which deliberated on matters affecting workers, trade unions, and the nation at large, also tackled the leadership crisis in Edo State’s NLC chapter, the governance vacuum in PENCOM, and alleged financial mismanagement within the NSITF.

The communiqué condemned what it described as the diversion of 40 per cent of workers’ contributions into national revenue, calling it “a flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.”

“Equally condemnable is the new administration’s false claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters, a property owned by Nigerian workers; the resort to cyber and media bullying of the trade unions and leadership, coupled with covert moves to amend the NSITF Act in a manner that would disenfranchise workers and give the government full control over the funds,” Ajaero said.

He further warned that such actions “represent a direct attack on workers’ rights, hard-earned resources, and the principle of tripartite governance enshrined in international labour standards.”

The NLC president outlined the union’s demands: “The NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days from today. The PENCOM board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law within seven working days from today. The Pension Commission must submit to the NLC a full status report of the funds within the same period. If at the end of these seven working days, nothing is done, the NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.”

The NLC also reaffirmed that the NSITF “belongs to the Nigerian working class” and vowed to deploy “all legitimate means” to safeguard workers’ interests.