President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the State House in Abuja, in an apparent move to address labour concerns ahead of the union’s planned nationwide protest over rising insecurity.
The high-level engagement, which took place late in the evening, was attended by several senior government officials, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo; the Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris; and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
The labour delegation was led by the President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, alongside other union leaders. The meeting was held behind closed doors, and as of press time, no official statement had been issued on the outcome of the discussions.
The talks come just a day before the NLC’s scheduled nationwide protest slated for December 17. The union had announced plans for the mass action in response to what it described as worsening insecurity across the country, which it says has continued to endanger the lives and livelihoods of Nigerian workers and citizens.
Sources familiar with the meeting indicated that discussions centred on efforts to avert the planned protest and explore possible areas of compromise on key national challenges, particularly security and the broader socio-economic conditions affecting workers. The presence of several state governors and the labour minister underscored the seriousness with which the Federal Government is treating the situation.
Earlier in the week, the NLC had maintained a firm stance on the protest, declaring that there would be “no going back” on its decision to mobilise workers nationwide. The union argued that repeated appeals and engagements had not yielded sufficient action to address insecurity, leaving organised labour with little choice but to resort to mass action.
The late-night meeting suggests renewed efforts by the Tinubu administration to engage labour leaders through dialogue rather than confrontation. Observers say the timing of the talks highlights the urgency of finding common ground, as a nationwide protest by organised labour could significantly disrupt economic activities and public services.
While it remains unclear whether the meeting will lead to a suspension or modification of the planned protest, both sides are expected to continue consultations in the coming hours. Nigerians are now keenly awaiting further developments, as the outcome of the engagement may shape the next steps in the unfolding standoff between the Federal Government and organised labour.
For more details, visit New Daily Prime at www.newdailyprime.news
