The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused the Federal Government of repeatedly breaching labour agreements across major sectors and undermining workers’ rights, warning that employees are ready for decisive action if the trend continues. The accusation came at the National Executive Council meeting held in Lagos, where unresolved issues in education and health dominated discussions.

NLC president Joe Ajaero said unions have reached breaking point over what he called “a consistent culture of disregard” for agreements signed since 2009. “The government has been guilty of not obeying agreements,” Ajaero stated. He explained that the ongoing crisis with ASUU, NASU, SSANU and other unions stems from the refusal to honour signed commitments. According to him, even fresh renegotiations have stalled due to what he described as the government’s reluctance to return to the table.

He said the NLC is now considering solidarity actions across affected sectors “to ensure that the sanctity of agreements is respected at all times.” Ajaero added that the breakdown in trust has spread beyond education, pointing to the distress in the health sector. “The government is withdrawing because of the same agreement they don’t want to honour,” he said.

The NLC president also raised concerns over rising insecurity, saying workers are increasingly becoming victims of violent attacks, kidnappings and ransom demands. “Only God knows the number of workers kidnapped with outrageous ransom demands. We can no longer bear this. It’s getting out of hand,” he lamented. He disclosed that the labour body would soon announce a nationwide protest to demand accountability from security agencies and political authorities.

Ajaero questioned what he called “suspicious lapses” in recent security operations, citing the abduction of students at Government Girls’ College, Maga in Kebbi State. Reports, he noted, suggested that security personnel were withdrawn shortly before the attack. “Never again shall we watch while kidnappers and bandits take over,” he vowed. “The NEC will take a strong stand to know what is happening and demand answers.”

The Labour leader also criticised the state of the power sector, saying Nigerians had gained nothing from years of reforms. He noted the high cost of fuel and the shortage of compressed natural gas infrastructure. “A litre is almost N1,000 in some places. Where are the CNG stations?” he asked.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who addressed the NEC, cautioned against calls for foreign military involvement, urging Nigerians to hold their government responsible for security failures. “We do not want foreign intervention,” Falana stressed. “We must mobilise and compel the government to defend Nigeria. And on unionisation, nobody is above the law, any employer stopping workers from joining unions is engaging in an illegal act.”

In March, the NLC led coordinated picketing of Central Bank offices in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt over delayed wage payments, inflation linked allowances and “broken government promises.” The action disrupted operations across some branches as labour leaders warned of escalation unless agreements were honoured.