The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday carried out a nationwide protest to draw attention to the worsening security situation across the country, insisting that the Federal Government must immediately deploy what it described as the “full weight of governance” to reclaim troubled communities, safeguard workers and rebuild public trust. Labour also demanded the arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly financing insecurity.
In Abuja, the protest ended abruptly amid heavy security presence, as demonstrators were prevented from moving beyond the Ministry of Finance, located only a short distance from the Labour House. Although workers turned out in large numbers, the procession, which eventually began between 11:15 a.m. and 11:39 a.m., failed to progress as planned. Notably, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and other senior labour leaders were absent from the march, having retreated into a closed-door meeting that lasted several hours.
Before the protest commenced, activist and leader of the Revolution Now Movement, Omoyele Sowore, was seen at the Labour House in solidarity with organised labour. Workers, affiliate unions, civil society partners and journalists had gathered at the venue as early as 7:30 a.m., but the demonstration was delayed for hours as participants awaited direction from union leaders.
Earlier, Ajaero dismissed speculation that the protest had been called off following a late-night meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday. He rejected claims that engagement with the President amounted to suspending the protest, stressing that the NLC communicates its decisions through official channels and had issued no notice cancelling the action.
Explaining labour’s demands, Ajaero said the NLC had written several letters to the President since June 16, seeking discussions on the state of the nation, particularly insecurity and the growing financial hardship faced by workers. According to him, although these letters were acknowledged by relevant government offices, they were never effectively communicated to the President, necessitating the protest.
He said the meeting with President Tinubu, facilitated through the Progressive Governors’ Forum, provided an opportunity to raise critical concerns, including insecurity, prolonged industrial disputes in tertiary institutions and the health sector. Ajaero disclosed that the President agreed to establish a negotiating framework for tertiary institutions to avoid serial strikes by different unions, and also acknowledged issues surrounding the prolonged JOHESU strike. On insecurity, the President reportedly assured labour that efforts were ongoing to address equipment shortages and improve security outcomes nationwide.
Ajaero added that President Tinubu agreed to meet the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the NLC by January next year to further deliberate on unresolved matters. However, he emphasised that the protest was never about confrontation but about highlighting the gravity of both physical and economic insecurity confronting Nigerians.
Commenting on the heavy deployment of security personnel, Ajaero said such measures were expected, whether to protect protesters or restrict their movement. He, however, criticised the practice of deploying security chiefs to handle industrial disputes, stressing that labour matters should be addressed by appropriate civilian institutions, not security agencies.
Because of perceived attempts to disrupt the protest, Ajaero said the NLC had to reassess its strategy and would decide collectively on the next steps after reviewing the outcome of discussions with the President.
Addressing workers after the brief march, Deputy General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Ismail Bello, said the protest transcended labour interests and was about the survival of all Nigerians. He lamented the devastating toll of insecurity on communities, livelihoods and essential services, describing the damage as enormous and unsustainable.
Similarly, Head of the NLC International Department, Comrade Uche Ekwe, said the demonstration was intended to reinforce the government’s resolve to tackle insecurity, insisting that those sponsoring violence must be identified and prosecuted.
The NLC disclosed alarming statistics, noting that insecurity had persisted for nearly two decades, marked by terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. Since 2009, over 2,295 teachers have reportedly been killed, more than 19,000 displaced, and over 910 schools destroyed in the North-East. In the health sector, labour said about 35 per cent of facilities had been destroyed, while 50 per cent became inaccessible, worsening the shortage of medical personnel.
Labour blamed socio-economic injustice, inequality, corruption and poor funding of education and healthcare for fuelling insecurity, adding that Nigeria lost an estimated ₦300 billion during the 30-day JOHESU strike alone.
After the meeting with President Tinubu, Ajaero said labour would collectively decide whether to suspend or continue the protest, stressing that decisions are taken democratically within the congress.
Imo State Governor and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma, who attended the meeting, said dialogue remained the best option for resolving disputes, while the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said labour leaders were reassured by the direct engagement with the President.
Protests also held across several states, including Lagos, Kebbi, Osun, Kano, Enugu, Delta, Abia and Sokoto. In Lagos, the NLC and civil society groups demanded urgent action to secure lives and welfare, with human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, warning that Nigeria was in deep trouble due to rising insecurity. Falana called for better motivation and equipment for security personnel and demanded prosecution of alleged terrorism financiers arrested in 2021.
Across the states, labour leaders echoed similar concerns, urging decisive action rather than rhetoric, while state governments receiving protest letters pledged to forward labour’s demands to the Presidency. The protests ended with a firm resolution by the NLC, warning that continued inaction would worsen Nigeria’s humanitarian and economic crises.