President Bola Tinubu has held late-night talks with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as the government seeks to defuse rising tensions over workers’ welfare and avert a threatened wave of nationwide protests.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday night at the State House in Abuja, came against the backdrop of organised labour’s warning that it would mobilise mass demonstrations over what it describes as the federal government’s failure to honour key commitments made to workers.
Confirming the talks, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the discussions brought together senior figures from government and labour at a moment of growing economic strain. According to the statement, those present included the chair of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, Edo state governor Monday Okpebholo, Kebbi state governor Nasir Idris, and the minister of state for labour, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The NLC delegation was led by its national president, Joe Ajaero, who has in recent weeks accused the government of dragging its feet on agreements reached in earlier negotiations. Labour leaders have cited rising living costs, wage concerns and the slow rollout of relief measures promised to cushion the impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms.
The threatened protests reflect mounting frustration among workers over inflation, fuel prices and broader socio-economic pressures, which unions warn have pushed many households to the brink. Organised labour has argued that unless concrete action is taken, industrial unrest and street protests across major cities are inevitable.
Neither the presidency nor the NLC disclosed details of the discussions or whether any breakthroughs were reached. For now, both sides remain tight-lipped, leaving the country watching closely to see whether the talks will ease tensions – or merely postpone a confrontation between labour and a government under pressure to deliver economic relief.
