The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has reiterated that the labour movement’s planned nationwide protest scheduled for December 17 will go ahead as announced, stressing that nothing has changed regarding the congress’ resolve.
Ajaero made this clear shortly after paying a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, in Gombe, the state capital. According to him, the protest remains a critical response to the worsening insecurity across the country and is aimed at compelling decisive action from government authorities.
He explained that the security crisis has reached a point where it affects every Nigerian, irrespective of social standing, profession, or location. Ajaero described the prevalence of banditry, kidnapping, and violent crimes as practices that are completely alien to Nigeria’s values and cultural heritage, warning that failure to confront them collectively would further entrench a dangerous national narrative.
The NLC president noted that insecurity is not only threatening lives but also undermining the country’s economic stability. He said persistent violence has weakened Nigeria’s capacity to attract both local and foreign investment, thereby worsening unemployment and economic hardship for workers and businesses alike.
The congress had earlier, on December 8, formally announced plans for the nationwide protest in reaction to the deteriorating security situation. In doing so, it condemned the abduction and killing of a school staff member during a recent attack on a school in Kebbi State, while also criticising the withdrawal of security personnel from the school shortly before the incident occurred.
The NLC expressed deep concern over the growing pattern of attacks on educational institutions, describing the trend as alarming and unacceptable. It called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to secure schools nationwide, particularly those located in remote and vulnerable communities where students and staff remain at heightened risk.
Beyond insecurity, the congress also voiced unease over challenges within the tertiary education sector, the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and the renewed activities of the Labour–Civil Society Coalition (LASCO). It further commented on internal developments within the Labour Party, urging members to realign the party with core working-class values, principles, and ideological discipline.
What you should know
The Nigeria Labour Congress is Nigeria’s largest labour umbrella body and often mobilises protests to push government action on national issues.
The December 17 protest is focused primarily on insecurity, following repeated attacks on schools and communities. Labour leaders argue that insecurity harms economic growth, education, and investor confidence.
The protest also reflects broader labour concerns, including disputes in the health and education sectors and ideological tensions within the Labour Party, which the NLC believes must remain rooted in working-class interests and integrity.
