Organised labour has warned that it may embark on a nationwide shutdown if the worsening wave of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across the country is not checked.

The warning was said to have been issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) at a joint briefing at the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

They said the security crisis had become a direct threat to the safety, livelihoods and productivity of the Nigerian workers.

The unions say that workers across the country are increasingly bearing insecurity.

Many Nigerians can no longer travel safely, conduct business or carry out daily activities without fear of attacks, they said.

Labour leaders cautioned that Nigeria cannot attain meaningful economic growth or better workers’ welfare if communities continue to come under siege from armed groups and criminal networks.

The NLC and TUC said organised labour would not rule out industrial action if the authorities failed to demonstrate stronger commitment to protecting lives and property.

They called on the federal and state governments to put security and economic stability first.

The unions warned that if workers’ growing concerns were not addressed, it could lead to a stronger response from organised labour.

Labour Disagrees With ₦100,000 Salary Demand
The labour centres also debunked reports that talks were ongoing on a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage.

They said some state governors’ claims were misleading.

NLC and TUC officials said the reports do not reflect the current state of engagements on workers’ welfare and remuneration.

They said no agreement had been reached on such a sum.

The post NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Rising Insecurity appeared first on TheNigerian.

Workers in states where the National Minimum Wage Act of 2024 was either not implemented at all or only partially implemented have been instructed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to observe May Day in 2026 on the streets of their states as a protest against the state governments’ refusal to follow the act’s provisions.

Additionally, it forbade the impacted employees from having any form of indoor reception and threatened to punish members who failed to comply.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the congress expressed disapproval with the condition of affairs when the government ignores the misery of workers.

The following is a portion of the NLC statement that was made available to reporters in Abuja on Friday:

“The national leadership of Congress extends its brotherly greetings to you! May Day, the international day of the working class, has traditionally been a time for serious contemplation of the status of workers’ rights and a celebration of our shared efforts to consistently increase the wealth of nations.

Unfortunately, a number of state governments have persisted in breaking the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act by refusing to fully implement its essential provisions, such as the extension of coverage to local government employees, primary school teachers, and health workers, as well as consequential adjustments for senior workers and regular and timely payment of the new wage.

This is an attack on the dignity of Nigerian workers as well as a violation of the law.

As a result, the following instructions are given to all State Councils in states where complete implementation has not yet been attained:

1. No official or indoor receptions Government buildings, banquet halls, or any other enclosed space used by defaulting state governments or in cooperation with them are not permitted to conduct May Day festivities. This suspends official receptions.

2. The Main Event: Street Processions By 7:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026, all employees must gather at designated labor homes, union secretariats, or public squares. From there, you will march in orderly, peaceful, and determined processions through the streets of your individual state capitals.

Routes and Final Destination: Every State Council must create a route that ends at the State Government House, the State House of Assembly, or the Head of Service’s office.

At the conclusion, a written statement of demands must be submitted.

All State Councils that are impacted by this regulation must abide by it. Any chairperson who disobeys this instruction or replaces it with a passive celebration in a state of default will be disciplined right away. Reports are anticipated right away.

“Comrades, it was not through prayer that the 2024 Minimum Wage Act was passed.

It was the result of hardship. It would be a betrayal of that tradition to spend May Day indoors while our rights are violated. So let’s go back to the streets!

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Yesterday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) disrupted operations at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) headquarters in Abuja by protesting the contentious disengagement of about 900 employees.

Additionally, it gave the company’s management a 48-hour deadline to resolve the issue or face an operational halt.

The labor movement, led by Comrade Joe Ajaero, its president, accused AEDC of carrying out the mass sack under false pretenses, calling it “the height of deceit” and setting a risky precedent in Nigeria’s already unstable electricity sector.

According to Ajaero, the crisis began roughly six months ago when AEDC management stated that only employees who had achieved retirement age or were about to do so would be impacted by the disengagement.

Based on such understanding, the union intervened at that time. He stated, “No responsible labor leader would oppose the departure of workers who have rightfully reached retirement age.”

But he said that the union’s investigations turned up an entirely different picture.

Most of those impacted weren’t old enough to retire. Some had served for as little as five or six years. Many had actually just been employed for two or three years. “That is the pinnacle of dishonesty,” he said.

He claims that despite numerous engagements through zonal consultative sessions, AEDC had pledged to review the exercise, but six months later, nothing has been done.

The fact that other distribution corporations are starting to imitate this trend is even more concerning.

Ajaero cautioned, “That sends a very dangerous signal across the power sector.”

Protest is sparked by MD’s absence. When NLC representatives showed up for a planned meeting with management at the AEDC headquarters and found that the Managing Director was not present, tensions increased.

“The MD wasn’t seated when we arrived for the meeting. According to Ajaero, “even the zonal level engagements have been handled in a very lukewarm manner.”

The NLC promptly called off the meeting, stating that the problem “goes beyond a zonal matter to a national concern,” and instructed employees to wait for further instructions.

Staff started to leave their offices in accordance with labor’s direction while union members mobilized throughout the building, thereby interfering with business operations.

AEDC management was given a harsh 48-hour deadline by the NLC President to address the issue or risk intensified industrial action that might severely disrupt the Federal Capital Territory’s electrical supply.

“We cannot guarantee power supply if nothing is done within that time.” The people who maintain the system will remain at home, and the system will inevitably be impacted if they are not working, he cautioned.

If the corporation doesn’t reply, he said, the action would be expanded beyond Abuja to other AEDC operating zones.

“This won’t end here. Every AEDC station will be impacted. Until this issue is resolved, operations will be suspended, he declared.

“Power Sector Becoming Lawless”: Ajaero took use of the occasion to offer a biting indictment of Nigeria’s electricity industry, charging businesses with abusing customers and breaking labor regulations.

Nearly 90% of electricity bills in Abuja are predicted today, yet there is no matching supply. He claimed that a system that encourages inefficiency is exploiting Nigerians.

Additionally, he criticized the banding system, claiming that it exacerbates inequalities in access to power while providing an unfair advantage to some distribution corporations, such as AEDC.

In addition to distribution corporations, the NLC leader attacked power producing companies, accusing them of ignoring their responsibilities and requesting large government bailouts.

For what is essentially darkness, some of them are requesting around ₦6 trillion. They are also withholding more than ₦5 billion in union dues that date back to 2012. He asked, “How do you demand trillions when you can’t fulfill your own obligations?”

“Labor laws must be followed by employers.” Ajaero cautioned that further industrial unrest could result if firms in the industry continuing to ignore labor laws.

He declared, “You cannot expect protection from the same system you disregard if you do not obey labor laws.”

Despite having a unionized staff at the time of privatization, he accused some power sector operators of purposefully undermining workers’ rights.

“They entered a system where employees already had rights and protections, and now their primary goal is to dehumanize those employees.” They should reconsider,” he continued.

Transparency and justice are demanded by the union. In order to allow for public scrutiny, the NLC is requesting that AEDC publish the whole list of disengaged employees, including their years of service and the grounds behind their termination.

Ajaero stated, “Let Nigerians see whether the union is being unfair or whether management acted unjustly.”

He also voiced worries about the company’s unsolved staff welfare issues, bad working conditions, and lack of promotions.

He claims that the situation has gotten worse due to protracted and fruitless dialogue.

“What we are witnessing is a policy of constant communication—talks that never cease and are never put into practice. He declared, “That has no place in industrial relations.”

“Day of Reckoning.” Ajaero concluded with a stern statement, stating that the union would no longer put up with what he called structural injustice in the industry.

“It appears that AEDC’s management believes they can dribble everyone and people will forget.” However, it is a day of reckoning, he declared.

Unresolved labor concerns do not go away; rather, they reappear, frequently with more serious repercussions, as history has demonstrated. Time is of the essence.

He called for “bumper-to-bumper unionism” and urged workers to stay alert and together.

“Justice has to be served. He said, “Those who were wrongfully fired and are suffering at home need to have their cases reviewed within the legal framework.”

“As a union, we are not requesting anything that is not permitted by law. However, we will feel that justice has been done if the law is obeyed.

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The Abuja Electricity Distribution offices in Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Niger have been closed by the Nigeria Labour Congress due to the widespread termination of more than 900 employees.

As of Wednesday morning, it was noted that the Disco’s offices in Kogi, Minna, Niger, and Nasarawa States, as well as portions of the country’s capital, were secured with locks and keys.

This occurs one day after the NLC picketed AEDC’s headquarters due to the contentious disengagement of about 900 employees, under the leadership of its president, Joe Ajaero.

According to Ajaero, the situation began approximately six months ago when AEDC management stated that the disengagement would only impact employees who had reached retirement age or were about to do so; in reality, the opposite was true.

The union intervened at that time on the basis of that understanding. A responsible labor leader would not be against employees who have reached retirement age.

The most of individuals impacted were not old enough to retire. Some had not even served for five or six years. Many had only been employed for two or three years, in actuality. “That’s the pinnacle of dishonesty,” he said.

Darkness looms over three states and Abuja.

AEDC management was given a 48-hour deadline by NLC on Tuesday to settle the issue or risk increased labor action that might severely disrupt the Federal Capital Territory’s and three other states’ electricity supplies.

“We cannot guarantee the supply of power if nothing is done within that time.” He cautioned that if the employees who maintain the system are not at work, it will inevitably be impacted since they will remain at home.

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