President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other key stakeholders at the State House in Abuja, amid growing tensions over an imminent nationwide protest by organised labour.
The closed-door meeting followed weeks of disagreement between the Federal Government and labour unions over unresolved issues affecting workers, including rising living costs, wage concerns and the implementation of previously agreed relief measures.
Confirming the meeting, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said several prominent figures were present at the discussions.
According to him, those in attendance included the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The Nigeria Labour Congress delegation was led by its National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, alongside other members of the union’s national leadership.
The talks come at a critical time, as the NLC has recently threatened to mobilise workers for mass protests across the country. Labour leaders have accused the Federal Government of dragging its feet on earlier agreements reached to ease the economic hardship faced by Nigerian workers following recent reforms.
Organised labour has warned that continued delays in addressing workers’ demands, particularly on wages and welfare could lead to widespread industrial action and street demonstrations in major cities.
As of the time of filing this report, details of the discussions and any resolutions reached at the meeting had not been made public by either the Federal Government or the labour leadership.
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