The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of failing to engage with organised labour. Ajaero made the allegation on a recent episode of the Mic On Podcast. He described the government as aloof and disconnected from the congress. According to Ajaero, the NLC had made several attempts to open discussions with the Federal Government but received no response to its correspondence to Tinubu between May and December 2025.
Ajaero stated that for the past two to three years, the government has not been engaging with the NLC. He said the government only responds when labour unions take steps to express their grievances publicly. The NLC president added that the administration has become detached from the congress. Ajaero's comments come amid renewed labour tensions following a three-day warning strike by public servants under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC).
The JNPSNC had threatened industrial action if the Federal Government failed to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre and approve a new wage award for workers. Ajaero disclosed that the NLC eventually fixed December 17, 2025, for a street protest after its efforts to reach the president failed. However, some state governors intervened following the planned demonstration, leading to a meeting between the labour leaders and the governors.
According to Ajaero, the intervention resulted in an interface with the government, but engagements since then have been limited. He stated that some governors met with the NLC, and since that time, they have talked once or twice. Ajaero alleged that the government has continued with its activities without addressing the issues raised by organised labour.
Ajaero's allegations are based on the government's response to the NLC's letters and the lack of engagement from the administration. He claimed that the government only responds to labour unions when they take public action. The NLC president's comments have sparked renewed tensions between the government and organised labour.
The NLC's planned nationwide protest in December 2025 was a result of the government's inaction on the congress's demands. Ajaero's accusations have raised concerns about the government's commitment to engaging with labour unions. The situation remains a challenge for the Tinubu administration, which must balance its policies with the needs of workers.
The labour tensions come as Nigerians face various challenges, including high petrol prices and demands for better wages. The NLC's demands have been echoed by other labour unions, which have threatened industrial action if their demands are not met. The government's response to the NLC's allegations and the labour unions' demands will be crucial in determining the outcome of the situation.
Key points
- NLC President Joe Ajaero accuses President Bola Tinubu's administration of failing to engage with organised labour.
- The NLC had made several attempts to open discussions with the Federal Government but received no response to its correspondence to Tinubu between May and December 2025.
- The government's response to the NLC's allegations and the labour unions' demands will be crucial in determining the outcome of the situation.
