Nigeria Labour Congress, TUC Suspend Nationwide Strike

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress suspended the ongoing nationwide strike on Wednesday night.

Labour leaders met with Ribadu alongside the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, at the Office of the NSA on Wednesday afternoon.
The organized labor movement is protesting against the alleged brutalization of its national president, Joe Ajaero, and the failure of the government to implement some of the agreements reached on October 2, 2023, effectively.

The announcement of the suspension was made following a meeting between representatives of the labor unions and Nuhu Ribadu. Sources close to the negotiation process revealed that the National Security Adviser played a crucial role in mediating between the government and the unions, urging both parties to find common ground.

According to the unions, the suspension was prompted by the intervention of Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.

The nationwide strike, initiated by the NLC and TUC, was a response to a series of issues raised by the labor unions. These concerns ranged from demands for an upward review of the minimum wage to protests against perceived anti-labor policies. The strike had gained momentum across various sectors, affecting daily activities and business operations.

Nuhu Ribadu, a seasoned figure in Nigerian politics and security, stepped in as a mediator to address the grievances raised by the labor unions. His intervention underscored the importance of finding an amicable resolution to the impasse between the government and the workers.

Ribadu’s reputation as a mediator and his past experiences in navigating complex issues added weight to his involvement in the negotiation process. His approach emphasized dialogue and compromise, encouraging both parties to prioritize the nation’s interests and well-being.

The meeting, which began a few minutes after 7 p.m., lasted about an hour, during which various affiliates and state chapters discussed the outcome of the meeting between organized labor leaders and Ribadu.

Tommy Etim, the TUC’s National Deputy Vice President, revealed this in an interview with Punch in Abuja.

“The NEC of the NLC and the TUC have suspended the strike. We did this based on our trust for the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, who gave us his words,” he said.

Recall that the labour leaders met with Ribadu alongside the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, at the Office of the NSA on Wednesday afternoon.

The NSA had announced that the individuals responsible for the brutalization of Ajaero had been arrested.

The organised labour is protesting against the alleged brutalisation of its National President, Joe Ajaero, and the failure of the government to implement some of the agreements reached on October 2, 2023 effectively.