NLC President Ajaero Condemns Judicial Suppression of Workers’ Rights, Calls for Labour Law Reforms

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has raised alarm over the increasing use of judicial processes to undermine the fundamental rights of Nigerian workers.

Speaking at the 2025 Annual Public Lecture of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja, themed “Labour Law and Labour Law Education,” Ajaero stressed the need for collective action to strengthen labour justice as a means of promoting industrial harmony and advancing social equity.

He emphasised that a fair and efficient judicial system, grounded in a deep understanding of industrial relations, is critical for national development.

“For a productive industrial environment, key stakeholders—especially the judiciary—must understand the aspirations, strategies, and challenges of the actors in labour relations. This understanding fosters balanced, just decisions,” Ajaero said.

He warned against the misuse of the judicial process to suppress workers and unions, urging that the courts should protect the vulnerable, not shield exploitative employers.

Ajaero expressed concern over the frequent use of court injunctions by governments, agencies, and private employers to block constitutionally guaranteed rights such as freedom of association and unionisation.

He also called on the Federal Executive to expedite the transmission of reviewed Labour Administration Laws to the National Assembly, arguing that modernising Nigeria’s labour framework is essential to aligning with global best practices and the realities of today’s workplace.

“The continued delay in passing these reforms undermines our labour justice system and is a disservice to the nation,” he said.

Justice Kanyip: Labour Law Education Key to Social Justice

Also speaking at the event, President of the NICN, Justice Benedict Kanyip, advocated for the integration of labour law education in schools and public institutions to improve awareness of rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

Justice Kanyip noted that this year’s lecture marked the fourth in the series since he assumed office in 2019, underscoring the importance of public legal education in fostering fair labour practices.

“Labour justice and labour law education go hand in hand,” he said. “While labour justice ensures fairness and equity in the workplace, labour law education empowers society to understand and enforce those rights.”

He added that such education is essential for ensuring compliance with key labour standards, including minimum wage, safe working conditions, and anti-discrimination laws.

Prof. Popoola Urges Broader Human Security Approach to Labour Justice

In his remarks, Professor Ademola Popoola of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, emphasised the need to pursue labour justice within the wider framework of human security, which he described as fundamental to the Nigerian Constitution.

He advocated for a review of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution to make its provisions justiciable, enhancing the protection of social and economic rights, especially for workers.

Popoola also encouraged the adoption of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms for labour conflicts and warned that the NICN must be urgently empowered to manage the growing volume of labour-related cases effectively.

Background

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), established under the Trade Disputes Act of 1976 and recognised under Section 254C of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), serves as the country’s primary court for resolving employment and labour disputes. It has played a pivotal role in managing tensions between trade unions, employers, and the government. However, experts stress that broader public understanding of labour laws is vital to preventing disputes and sustaining industrial peace across Nigeria.