President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, don accuse President Bola Tinubu administration say e no dey engage organised labour. He talk say the government dey aloof and disconnected from the congress. Ajaero make the allegation on Saturday during latest episode of Mic On Podcast, as he dey recount events wey lead to NLC planned nationwide protest in December 2025.
He talk say the congress try several times to open discussion with Federal Government but no response to letters wey dem write Tinubu between May and December 2025. Ajaero talk: ‘For the past two to three years, it’s not government that is engaging. This government doesn’t engage.’
NLC president talk say government only respond when labour unions take steps to express grievance publicly. He add say administration don detach from congress. He talk: ‘It’s only when people engage; they now say A, B, C, D. So they are aloof.’
Ajaero talk say congress eventually fix December 17, 2025 for street protest after efforts to reach president fail. He disclose say some state governors intervene after planned demonstration, and that lead to meeting between labour leaders and governors. According to am, intervention result in interface with government, but engagements since then limited. He talk: ‘And after that, some governors intervened, and we had an interface. So some governors met with us, and since that time, we have talked once or twice.’
Ajaero allege say government don continue with activities without addressing issues wey organised labour raise. He talk: ‘And those issues, from December last year to now, they are just doing their business. Everybody is their enemy.’
His comments come amid renewed labour tensions following three-day warning strike by public servants under Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council. The council don threaten industrial action if Federal Government fail to reduce petrol prices to N500 per litre and approve new wage award for workers.
