As Nigerians wrestle with a host of unfavorable policies, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is coming under intense fire. Once a formidable force—championed by stalwarts like Pa Michael Imoudu, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Alhaji Ali Ciroma, and Adams Oshiomhole—the NLC is now widely seen as a shadow of its former self, weakened by a series of unfulfilled threats that have produced scant results.
Historically, the NLC was a fierce advocate for the middle class, ensuring that government and private sector policies safeguarded the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers. However, under the current leadership of Joe Ajaero, the union’s clout has noticeably diminished, allowing governments at various levels to unilaterally make decisions affecting workers’ welfare without a strong counterbalance.
This decline was thrown into sharp relief following President Bola Tinubu’s decision to scrap the fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023. The NLC had initially declared plans for a nationwide strike to force the government to reverse the move. Yet, within 24 hours of the planned protest, the union abruptly suspended the strike after a meeting with federal officials—despite promises to address issues like reviving the CNG conversion program. Meanwhile, the hardship brought on by the subsidy removal has only worsened, with promised government measures such as CNG buses failing to reach the majority of workers.
The union’s waning influence was further exposed in July 2024, when electricity distribution companies implemented a 250% tariff hike for “band A” customers. NLC President Joe Ajaero decried the increase in a fiery statement titled “Stop killing the people and the economy,” but after a brief one-day protest and assurances from key quarters like the National Assembly, the union backed down—leaving the tariff hike in place amid a deafening silence.
Similarly, when the Nigerian Communications Commission approved a 50% increase in telecom tariffs in January, the NLC initially vowed to mount a showdown by threatening to halt the economy with protest actions. However, after discussions with government representatives, the planned protest was canceled, further underscoring the union’s inability to take decisive action.
The situation was compounded when Multichoice Nigeria raised its subscription fees for DStv and GOtv. Despite the NLC’s vocal opposition and promises to contest the hike, the company proceeded with its decision unchallenged, exposing the union’s diminished capacity to back up its rhetoric with real impact.
Many Nigerians now feel that the era of robust, principled labour unions is over. On-air personality Joseph Ojobo lamented that today’s unions are driven by self-interest, recalling a time in 2012 when labour strikes could bring the nation to a standstill. Socio-political activist Adebanjo Idowu Mathew even called for a complete overhaul of NLC leadership, arguing that their political entanglements—evident in their endorsement of a presidential candidate during the 2023 general elections—have rendered them ineffective. Similarly, civil servant Mrs. Anthonia Adikwu accused the union’s leaders of living extravagantly at the expense of the workers they were meant to protect.
As the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah, remains unreachable for comment, a growing number of Nigerians see the once-mighty NLC as having lost its mandate, leaving the nation’s workers increasingly vulnerable amid challenging economic times.
