NLC Slams Obasanjo Over Criticism Of Trade Unions, Recalls Repression Under His Rule

Abuja, Nigeria– The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent critique of trade unions in his latest book, Nigeria: Past and Future.

In a statement released on Monday by NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the union accused Obasanjo of failing to acknowledge his own role in weakening labour movements during his presidency.

The NLC noted that while Obasanjo highlighted the declining power of trade unions and the struggles of Nigerian workers, he neglected to admit his administration’s historical repression of labour leaders, including arrests, detentions, and even the killing of protesting workers.

The union also recalled Obasanjo’s unsuccessful attempts to proscribe the NLC and establish a parallel labour centre to control union activities.

“If Chief Obasanjo has noticed an erosion in the powers of the trade unions, he should do a soul search. Who knows, he might find himself culpable,” the statement read.

The NLC acknowledged that Obasanjo, in his book, reiterated their long-standing position on the inadequacy of the minimum wage. The former president had written that “the minimum wage does not even cover transportation costs for some workers, let alone food, housing, and family upkeep.”

The union explained that it had initially demanded a minimum wage of N610,000 based on a detailed breakdown of living costs. However, the government and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) countered with an offer of N50,000 without justification, leading to a stalemate and a nationwide strike.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu later intervened and proposed N70,000, slightly above the recommendation of the Minimum Wage Committee.

Although the NLC had pushed for N250,000, the government stated that such an amount would require increasing the petrol price to N2,500 per litre. Faced with the risk of worsening economic hardship, the union opted for the N70,000 settlement while securing commitments for additional incentives such as compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and free vehicle conversion kits for workers.

“This is contrary to Chief Obasanjo’s assertion that workers ‘have become victims of those meant to protect their interests,’” the NLC said.

Obasanjo also criticised trade union leaders for engaging in politics, citing an instance where a labour leader was negotiating to be a gubernatorial candidate while in office.

The NLC dismissed his concerns, pointing out that the 1999 Constitution grants all Nigerians, including union leaders, the right to seek political office.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress has produced three governors straight from office. Incidentally, the first happened during Chief Obasanjo’s presidency,” the union stated.

Furthermore, the NLC rejected Obasanjo’s claim that today’s union leaders are ineffective compared to their predecessors. The union reminded him of the colonial-era labour struggles, as well as his own government’s repressive tactics, including the banning, detention, and victimization of labour leaders.

“When the plot to proscribe the NLC failed, Obasanjo created a parallel labour centre. We also recall how he punished Parliamentarians like Honourable Obete Obete for not playing his script,” the statement added.

While acknowledging Obasanjo’s seniority, the NLC urged him and other political figures to refrain from undermining trade unions for their own interests.

The union reiterated that workers’ struggles have always been targeted by successive governments seeking to weaken their collective power.

“In summary, governments should stop undermining the unions for their selfish interests,” the NLC concluded.