President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the State House in Abuja amid plans by organised labour to stage a nationwide protest over unresolved demands.
The meeting followed rising tensions between the Federal Government and labour unions over workers’ welfare, the escalating cost of living, and the implementation of previously agreed concessions.
Confirming the meeting in a statement issued late Tuesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said several key stakeholders were in attendance.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with the leadership of the NLC, alongside the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma; the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Nasir Idris; and the Minister of State for Labour, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha,” the statement read in part.
According to the statement, the NLC delegation was led by its national leadership.
“The President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, led labour leaders to the meeting on Tuesday night at the State House, Abuja,” it added.
The meeting comes against the backdrop of the NLC’s recent threat to embark on mass protests nationwide over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to fully address workers’ demands. These include relief measures to cushion the impact of economic reforms, wage-related concerns, and broader socio-economic hardships facing Nigerian workers.
Organised labour has accused the government of delaying the implementation of agreements reached during previous engagements, warning that continued inaction could trigger industrial unrest and widespread street protests across major cities.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the NLC had released details of the discussions or the outcome of the meeting.
