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Category: Labour

  • Dangote/PENGASSAN: NLC mobilises for total lockdown

    Dangote/PENGASSAN: NLC mobilises for total lockdown

    The Dangote/PENGASSAN dispute is taking a turn for the worse as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed all its affiliate unions to immediately commence mobilisation for industrial action against the Group.

    This directive is contained in an internal memo signed by NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, on Monday in Abuja.

    The order follows a dispute between Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the alleged sack of over 800 workers.

    Ajaero said the directive was prompted by what the congress described as the Dangote Group’s “anti-worker crusade” against Nigerian workers.

    He alleged that the conglomerate consistently violated Section 40 of the Constitution and ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which protect workers’ rights to association and unionisation.

    According to him, affiliates are placed on full alert and must begin unionisation drives in all Dangote facilities within their areas of jurisdiction.

    “The impunity of the Dangote Group must be met with resistance. Each affiliate should establish an Action Mobilisation Committee and liaise with the NLC Secretariat within 72 hours,” Ajaero said.

    He urged affiliates to mobilise resources and members for nationwide action, stressing that unity of purpose and collective resolve were non-negotiable.

    Meanwhile, there is report that the Federal Government has convened a conciliatory meeting to prevent escalation of the dispute.

  • NLC demands probe of UBA Fire, market Infernos

    NLC demands probe of UBA Fire, market Infernos

    Insists that the fires are totally not accidents of fate

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has demanded an independent probe into the recent United Bank for Africa (UBA) fire and other infernos on Lagos Island.

    This is according to a statement signed by the Acting President of NLC, Prince Adewale Adeyanju,  on Thursday in Abuja.

    It would be recalled that on Sept. 16, no fewer than  six people died in the UBA Afriland Building blaze, while several others sustained injuries and remain hospitalised.

    “Our grief is worsened by the fresh memory of another devastating fire that consumed shops and warehouses in the same axis, destroying livelihoods and goods valued in billions of Naira.

    “These fires are totally not accidents of fate. They are products of systemic rot, institutional negligence,, and disregard for safety rules which expose citizens to needless deaths and losses,” it said.

    The NLC said that the sight of workers jumping out of windows to escape the UBA fire was disheartening.

    “Were there safety precautions in the building design? Were workers trained? Where were crisis management teams?” the statement asked.

    The congress also expressed concern over recurring market fires in Lagos, calling them an annual ritual that should have been addressed with adequate safeguards.

    It added that every society was judged by how it safeguarded citizens.

    “In Lagos, we see the opposite fires without water, collapsing buildings without rescue, citizens without emergency response.

    “Why do emergency agencies continue to budget billions annually yet arrive unprepared in moments of crisis?.

    “Why are corporate institutions allowed to compromise safety standards without accountability?” it asked.

    The NLC,  therefore, demanded the investigation of the fires, compensation for victims, mandatory safety enforcement, and adequate funding for emergency services.

    “No worker should leave home for work and end up in the morgue because of preventable disasters,” it said.

    The NLC also warned against reducing the tragedies to mere statistics.

    “The blood of the workers cries out for justice,” the statement said.

    The NLC commended NEMA for issuing flood warnings but urged proactive evacuations and long-term solutions to annual flooding linked to water releases from Cameroon.

    It called on Nigerians to resist normalising tragedies.

    “We must demand institutions that work, safety that is guaranteed, and governance that protects, not abandons,” the NLC stated.

  • Corporate governance: NEITI boss demands equal representation for Women

    Corporate governance: NEITI boss demands equal representation for Women

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has called for equal representation of Women in all levels of governance and leadership in Nigeria.

    Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, Secretary-General of the NEITI, made the call at the event marking and recognition of the 2025 International Women’s Day, by the office, on Friday in Abuja.

    Orji said that the theme of the women day tagged, “Accelerate Action”emphasised the urgent need to take decisive steps toward achieving gender equality.

    He said that the theme would also address the slow pace of progress and empowering women and girls worldwide.

    According to him, the theme underscores the urgency of making faster, more efficient strides, to bring together the quest and the desire for more inclusion of women in global and national affairs.

    “That is why a day like this is a day for reflection on the imbalance in terms of representation at the level of decision making and others.

    “There is always a benefit for women to have their own right at the table where decisions are being made.

     “If they are not there, no one else can speak for them better. So when we have more women at the centre of decision making, issues concerning women will be much more taken seriously.

    “Women go through a lot to bring up children, especially in Africa where mortality rates for women appear to be higher, because women are exposed to more risk than anyone can explain,” he said.

    Orji said that the women day was suppose to be March 8, but NEITI decided to celebrate the day ahead.

    The secretary general said that women remained underrepresented in key top positions, often facing barriers that hinder their participation and advancement.

    ”This disparity not only limits the potential of women in contributing to the world development, it also deprives of diverse perspectives essential for sustainable growth and innovation, ” he said.

     He noted that the top high-level management positions in the industry were predominantly occupied by men, adding that it highlighted a critical lack of gender balance in decision-making.

    He said that women representation at the federal level had also seen some remarkable progress, adding that more needs to be done to ensure its balance.

    The NEITI boss said that the aim of the meeting was to share insight on the legal and policy framework that would promote gender equality, workplace rights, and inclusive governance in Nigeria’s extractive sector.

    Mrs Ezinwa Okoroafor, International Federation of Women Lawyers, (FIDA), said that the meeting was one of the strategies to advance gender equality.

     According to her, as we engage ourselves, we are going to hear things, share different ideas that will bring more understanding and better knowledge of what we can do to advance gender equality.

    Speaking also, Mrs Tengi George-Ikoli, Senior Programme Officer, Natural Resource Governance Institute, said that women had consistently demonstrated competence, resilience and leadership in the oil, gas and mineral sectors.

    Geoge-Ikoli said through strong advocacy, more women would have access to opportunities for growth, leadership, and economic empowerment in a sector that had historically been male-dominated.

    “Today’s meeting will provide a valuable platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing and strategic collaboration.

    “It is my hope that today’s discussions will further inspire actionable steps towards building an inclusive industry,” she said. 

  • Labour Calls for Nationwide Protest Over Telecom and Electricity Tariff Hikes

    Labour Calls for Nationwide Protest Over Telecom and Electricity Tariff Hikes

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned the Federal Government of a nationwide protest if it moves forward with the proposed telecommunications and electricity tariff increases that go against previous agreements.

    The NLC has instructed all its branches to prepare for action if the government proceeds with the telecom tariff hike, which was initially set at 50%. 

    Despite reports suggesting that a compromise was reached, reducing the hike to 35%, telecommunications companies say they have not received any official communication about the reduction. 

    They claimed that without a formal notification from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), they cannot act on the agreement.

    In addition to the telecom issue, the NLC has voiced strong opposition to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) plans to reclassify electricity consumers.

     The NLC accused NERC of unfairly shifting consumers from lower to higher tariff bands, which would lead to higher bills.

     The union has declared that any further increase in electricity tariffs would lead to massive protests.

    The NLC also criticized the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for overstepping his role and taking actions that should be handled by NERC. 

    The union has made it clear that they will not stand by while the government continues policies they consider harmful to the Nigerian public.

    The NLC’s recent decisions were made during a meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, where they also launched a new mass transit bus initiative for the North East Zone.

  • NYSC members yet to receive promised ₦77,000 allowance

    NYSC members yet to receive promised ₦77,000 allowance

    Corps members across Nigeria have expressed frustration after receiving their February stipend, which remained at ₦33,000 instead of the ₦77,000 they were expecting. 

    The delay contradicts earlier promises by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the federal government.

    In January, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, assured corps members that their allowance had been approved for an increase and that payments would reflect the adjustment once the 2025 budget was passed. 

    However, as February ended, the allowance remained unchanged, and no official statement has been issued to explain the delay.

    This situation has left corps members struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. 

    Many find it difficult to afford basic needs such as food, transportation, and housing due to the economic downturn.

     With inflation worsening and prices of essential goods soaring, the ₦33,000 stipend is no longer sufficient to cover daily expenses.

    Some corps members have voiced their disappointment, accusing the government of failing to keep its promises. 

    Many expected the increment to take effect immediately after the announcement but are now left in uncertainty.

    The continued delay has further fueled concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing economic challenges affecting young Nigerians.

     Corps members are now calling for urgent clarification and action to ensure they receive the promised allowance.

  • Shortfall in January pay: FG working to address discrepancy

    Shortfall in January pay: FG working to address discrepancy

    The Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) has assured federal workers that the government is taking steps to resolve discrepancies in January salaries, which were reported to be lower than usual.

    Benjamin Anthony, the National Chairman of the JPSNC, spoke to the media in Abuja on Monday, addressing concerns raised by federal civil servants about the unexpected reduction in their salaries.

     Some workers had noticed that their January pay was lower than the amounts received between October and December 2024.

    The issue was traced back to a “systematic error” in the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

     In response to the complaints, the JPSNC issued a memo to industrial unions to collect detailed reports from their members and escalate the issue to the government for correction. 

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    Anthony also mentioned that some sources from within the IPPIS system had indicated that a technical error was behind the discrepancies, and the team is actively working on fixing it.

    Anthony advised workers affected by the salary reduction to report the issue through their unions to ensure a smoother resolution process.

     The JPSNC has already reached out to the Head of Service of the Federation, who promised to forward the matter to the Accountant General’s office for further investigation.

     The Head of Service also reassured the council that, should any issues arise, the affected workers will be paid their correct salaries.

    One possible explanation for the shortfall is a peculiar allowance that was negotiated by the council and agreed upon by the government. 

    Anthony suggested that this allowance may have been accidentally removed by the IPPIS system. However, he expressed confidence that the allowance would be reinstated, and all affected workers would receive the full pay owed to them.

  • Protest against telecoms tariff hike: NLC suffers setback

    Protest against telecoms tariff hike: NLC suffers setback

    The National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers (NATCOMS) on Thursday disassociated itself from the industrial action being planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to protest telecoms tariff hike.

    The President, NATCOMS, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, told news men in Lagos that the protest was uncalled for, as it would send wrong signals to investors.

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry’s regulatory body had on Monday released a statement saying it had acceded to the requests of operators to hike tariffs.

    The NCC said it had approved a maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments in response to prevailing operational costs.

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    This resulted in NATCOMS and the NLC condemning the hike, saying the approved percentage was too prohibitive.

    The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, had condemned the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike by the Federal Government.

    Ajaero urged the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of the tariff hike to allow for a reasonable conversation around it.

    He said that if the dialogue agreed on the need for the hike, a more humane increase could be sought, but not 50 per cent.

    The NLC president, therefore, called on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject the tariff hike while urging citizens to prepare for collective action.

    He said that this action included the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of the punitive increase.

    “This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people.

    “The NLC remains resolute in defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses.

    “We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality.

    “Together, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that government prioritises the interests of its citizens over corporate interests,” Ajaero said.

    Meanwhile, Ogunbanjo, the NATCOMS President said that the civil way to go about ensuring reversal of the tariff hike was to go to court, if all negotiation and consultations prove unsatisfactory.

    According to him, this is the path that the NATCOMS has decided to tread if all negotiations fall on deaf ears.

    “We do not support the Nigerian Labour Congress’ call for an industrial action. No, we don’t! NATCOMS is not in support.

    “To investors and businesses, it is a wrong signal. Negotiation is still ongoing and the tariff hike is in February and we still have eight days.

    “We (NATCOMS) are meeting with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to engage them, to convince them, and we will be consulting with NCC tomorrow to map a way forward,’’ he said.

    According to him, it is after negotiations and consultations have failed that NATCOMS will head to court.

    NAN reports that the NCC, the industry’s regulatory body had justified the maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments by saying it was in response to prevailing operational costs.

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    It said that this was less than the 100 per cent demanded by some telecoms operators.

    Its decision, the NCC said, is pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.

    The NCC said that, while recognising the concerns of the public, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.

    “The NCC has prioritised striking a balance between protecting telecoms consumers and ensuring the sustainability of the industry, including the thousands of indigenous vendors and suppliers who form a critical part of the telecommunications ecosystem.

    “The NCC recognises the financial pressures faced by Nigerian households and businesses and remains deeply empathetic to the impact of tariff adjustments.

    “To this end, the commission has mandated that operators implement these adjustments transparently and in a manner that is fair to consumers.

    It said that these adjustments would support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity.

    The NCC added that consumers would benefit from better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage within the country.

  • NNPCL 2024 Recruitment: Candidates Ready for Interview Stage   

    NNPCL 2024 Recruitment: Candidates Ready for Interview Stage   

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has advanced its 2024 recruitment process to the interview stage after completing the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

     The recruitment drive covers Graduate Trainee and Experienced roles, with successful candidates now receiving interview invitations via email.  

    The interviews will be conducted at NNPCL’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, with specific details about schedules and requirements to follow.

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     The organization emphasized that its recruitment process is grounded in fairness, assessing candidates based solely on qualifications and skills.  

    Applicants are advised to monitor their emails for updates and prepare adequately for the interviews to secure their positions in the next phase of the recruitment.

  • Bauchi Varsity Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

    Bauchi Varsity Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) in Bauchi has launched an indefinite strike to protest the university administration’s failure to fulfill prior agreements. 

    In a press statement following an emergency meeting held at the Yuli Campus on November 29, 2024, ASUU Chairperson Comrade Awwal Hussain Nuhu revealed that repeated attempts to resolve the issues through dialogue had failed. 

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    Despite efforts to engage both the university management and the government, the union found no willingness to address its grievances.

    As a result, the union decided to initiate a full and indefinite strike, which began at 12:00 PM on November 29. 

    This includes the suspension of all academic activities, including lectures, meetings, and any work related to the university’s academic operations, until further notice.

  • NURTW Presidency: Court upholds Baruwa, Sacks MC Oluomo

    NURTW Presidency: Court upholds Baruwa, Sacks MC Oluomo

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa as the rightful President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). 

    This ruling aligns with a previous decision by the National Industrial Court, which validated Baruwa’s leadership.  

    The appellate court dismissed the appeal brought by a faction led by Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin and Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, both loyalists of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo. 

    The court concluded that the appeal lacked merit, upholding Baruwa’s presidency and awarding N100,000 in damages to the respondents.  

    Baruwa criticized MC Oluomo’s recent inauguration as NURTW President, describing it as a breach of judicial orders.

     He emphasized that the union operates under a legal framework, which outlines proper electoral processes.  

    Baruwa urged the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation to enforce the court’s decision to maintain peace and uphold the rule of law within the union.