President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) amid plans by organised labour to stage a nationwide protest over unresolved workers’ demands.
The meeting took place at the State House, Abuja, against the backdrop of rising tensions between the Federal Government and labour unions over workers’ welfare, the high cost of living and the implementation of previously agreed concessions.
Confirming the meeting in a statement issued on Tuesday night, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said key stakeholders were in attendance.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with the leadership of the NLC, alongside the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; 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 labour delegation was led by the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The meeting followed recent threats by the NLC to mobilise mass protests across the country over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to fully address workers’ demands, including wage-related issues, relief measures to cushion the impact of economic reforms and broader socio-economic hardships facing Nigerian workers.
Organised labour has repeatedly accused the government of delaying the implementation of agreements reached in earlier negotiations, warning that continued inaction could lead to industrial unrest and street protests in major cities nationwide.
As of the time of filing this report, details of the discussions and any resolutions reached had not been made public by either the Federal Government or the leadership of the NLC.
