Joe Ajaero, NLC president
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the new National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) as an attempt by the federal government to criminalise strikes and suppress trade unions.
On July 31, the federal government approved the NIRP, a framework designed to minimise industrial disputes and foster stable labour relations across the country.
The approval was announced by Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, following a federal executive council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Idris said the policy will serve as a guide for trade unions, employers, and government institutions, encouraging structured dialogue and aligning Nigeria’s labour practices with global standards.
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In a statement on Saturday, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, described the move as “reprehensible and shocking”.
“We are in shock that from a catalogue of hundreds of workplace issues contained in the National Industrial Relations Policy, the federal government singled out industrial strikes as its headache,” Ajaero said.
“The press statement exposes the mindset of those who were elected to protect the interests of the ordinary citizen, including workers.”
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Ajaero said there were attempts, during the drafting stages of the policy, to insert clauses that would criminalise strike actions, but were rejected by representatives of trade unions, employers, and the labour ministry.
The NLC boss said the provisions contradict the 1999 Constitution and the Trade Unions Act, which recognise the right of workers to organise and withdraw their services in line with the law.
“The right of a worker and trade unions to withdraw their services is fundamental and inalienable,” he added.
“The NLC and organised labour in Nigeria condemn and reject this new law in industrial relations. It is inferior to the Constitution and the Trade Union Act.”
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He said the NLC would remain vigilant in defending the rights and liberties of Nigerian workers.
