Nigeria Labour Congress Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum to Federal Government Over Pension Board and Workers’ Funds
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government over its failure to constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM).
The Labour Centre also accused the government of diverting workers’ funds through the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
According to a communiqué signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the NLC met on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to deliberate on urgent matters affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the nation at large.
The meeting focused on the leadership crisis within the Edo State Council of the NLC, concerning developments in the NSITF, the ongoing governance vacuum at PENCOM, and the broader state of the nation.
The communiqué expressed outrage at the Federal Government’s ongoing diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the national treasury as “revenue,” describing it as a blatant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF and a direct assault on workers’ social protection rights.
“Equally condemnable is the new administration’s false claim of ownership of the NLC National Headquarters, a property rightfully owned by Nigerian workers; the resort to cyber and media bullying of trade unions and their leadership; and covert attempts to amend the NSITF Act in a way that would disenfranchise workers and grant the government full control over the funds,” the statement read.
The CWC warned that these actions undermine workers’ rights, hard-earned resources, and the principle of tripartite governance enshrined in international labour standards.
“The Congress affirms that the NSITF belongs to the Nigerian working class and will mobilize all legitimate means to protect workers’ interests,” Ajaero declared.
Regarding the next steps, the NLC President stated, “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 the same period. Additionally, the Pension Commission must submit a comprehensive status report of the funds to the NLC within these seven days.”
He added, “If by the end of this seven-day ultimatum no action is taken, the NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.”
