DECLINE OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS

The once-vibrant labour movement has become a toothless bulldog, reckons ABIODUN OLUWADARE

For decades, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stood as the bastion of workers’ rights, a formidable force that held the government and private sector accountable. From the legendary days of Pa Michael Imoudu, Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, and Alhaji Ali Ciroma, the NLC was a powerful advocate for the middle class, ensuring that economic policies did not trample on the rights and welfare of workers. Back then, no administration could make unilateral decisions on wages, salaries, or workers’ welfare without anticipating a formidable response from the NLC. The organisation commanded respect and fear, compelling policymakers to negotiate in good faith.

However, today, the once-powerful NLC appears to be a mere shadow of its former self. Its actions have become predictable, often limited to press releases, symbolic protests, and empty threats that yield little to no results. The question now arises: What has happened to the NLC? Why has it lost its assertiveness and relevance in shaping national policies?

A recent example of the NLC’s diminishing influence was its opposition to the price increase by Multichoice, the popular cable television service provider in Nigeria. The Congress had vowed that the hike would not stand, creating an illusion of a brewing showdown. But despite all the noise, Multichoice proceeded with its decision unchallenged, exposing the NLC’s inability to back its words with decisive action. Similarly, when telecommunications giants such as MTN and other service providers increased tariffs, the NLC issued its characteristic statements of condemnation, yet Nigerians still found themselves paying higher rates with no intervention from Congress or the government.

This trend highlights the depth of the crisis facing the NLC. The once-vibrant and uncompromising labour movement seems to have become a toothless bulldog, barking but never biting.

Factors Responsible for the NLC’s Weakness

One, Political Compromise, Hypocrisy, and Internal Division. One of the primary reasons for the NLC diminishing influence is its entanglement in political compromises. Historically, the NLC maintained a strong, independent stance, holding the government and corporate entities accountable. However, in recent years, its leadership has become increasingly susceptible to political manoeuvring, often striking deals that undermine its core mandate.

A significant issue is the co-optation of labour leaders into government structures, either through political appointments or clandestine patronage. This has led to a situation where the leadership, instead of fighting for workers’ rights, aligns with political elites for personal or organizational benefits. Consequently, the NLC’s ability to challenge anti-labour policies has been severely weakened.

Moreover, NLC leaders have been criticized for living lavish lifestyles, often mirroring the same excesses they condemn in the National Assembly and government officials. It is not uncommon to see labour leaders riding in high-end SUVs, staying in luxury hotels, and enjoying the privileges of the same system they are supposed to challenge. This contradiction erodes public trust, as many workers see no difference between NLC executives and the politicians they claim to oppose. How can Congress demand economic sacrifices from the government when its own leaders live in opulence? This hypocrisy further alienates the workforce, weakening the NLC’s credibility and ability to mobilize mass action.

Additionally, internal divisions within the Congress have further eroded its power. Factional struggles over leadership, accusations of financial mismanagement, and ideological differences have turned the NLC into a house divided against itself. These internal conflicts have led to parallel congresses and breakaway factions, making it easier for governments and corporate institutions to exploit its lack of cohesion.

Two, Loss of Public Trust and Mobilization Capacity. There was a time when the mere mention of an NLC strike sent shockwaves through the corridors of power. Strikes were meticulously planned and effectively executed, often bringing economic activities to a standstill until the government was forced to listen. However, that era appears to be over.

Many Nigerians now view the NLC with scepticism, seeing it as an organization that makes loud proclamations but delivers little action. This loss of confidence stems from repeated instances where Congress announced major industrial actions only to back down after closed-door negotiations with the government. The perception that NLC leaders prioritize personal gains over collective bargaining has weakened public support, making mass mobilization increasingly difficult.

As trust dwindles, workers are less inclined to heed strike calls, further reducing the impact of labour protests. The absence of strong mobilization means that even when the NLC calls for action, participation is often lukewarm, allowing the government and businesses to ignore its demands with little consequence.

Three, Economic Hardship and Apathy Among Workers. Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis has also played a role in weakening the Congress. Rising inflation, widespread unemployment, and economic uncertainty have forced many workers into survival mode. With the cost-of-living skyrocketing and wages stagnating, many employees are more preoccupied with putting food on the table than engaging in prolonged industrial actions.

Unlike in the past when workers had a stronger safety net and could afford to endure strikes for extended periods, today’s workforce is highly vulnerable. Many are engaged in precarious employment arrangements, including casual and contract jobs, where participation in protests or strikes could lead to immediate job loss. The fear of victimization by employers, particularly in the private sector, has discouraged many from actively supporting labour actions.

Furthermore, government policies such as the “no work, no pay” rule have made strikes more difficult to sustain. Workers are hesitant to embark on prolonged industrial actions when their financial survival is at stake. In this environment, the NLC’s traditional tools of resistance—strikes and protests—have become less effective.

Four, Government’s High-Handedness and Anti-Labour Tactics. Successive Nigerian administrations have employed aggressive strategies to suppress labour unions, further crippling the NLC’s effectiveness. Unlike in the past when Congress thrived on robust negotiations and resilience, today’s NLC leadership often appears easily subdued by state threats and crackdowns.

The government has increasingly used security agencies to intimidate labour leaders, disrupt protests, and prevent large-scale demonstrations. Instances of police brutality against striking workers, mass arrests of protest leaders, and the use of court injunctions to declare strikes illegal have all contributed to the NLC’s weakening. The fear of violent repression discourages workers from fully engaging in labour actions, allowing the government to implement anti-worker policies with little resistance.

Additionally, the Nigerian government has leveraged legal and bureaucratic measures to undermine the Congress. For instance, restrictive labour laws, delays in approving union registrations, and interference in union elections have all been used as tools to control and weaken the NLC. Unlike in countries where governments engage labour unions in meaningful dialogue, Nigeria’s approach has been largely adversarial, treating labour movements as opposition groups rather than stakeholders in national development.

The Need for NLC’s Revival

If the NLC is to regain its place as the voice of the people, urgent reforms are needed. The Congress must:

• Regain its independence by resisting political influence and focusing solely on workers’ interests.

• Revitalize its mobilization strategy to restore confidence among workers and the general public.

• Engage in strategic alliances with other civil society organizations to amplify its demands.

• Hold leaders accountable by ensuring transparency within their ranks to eliminate internal betrayals and compromises.

 Should the NLC Continue to Exist?

Nigerians are left wondering whether the NLC should simply dissolve if it can no longer fulfil its mandate. The suffering of the people is unbearable, and Congress’s failure to address these issues meaningfully has raised serious doubts about its relevance. If the NLC cannot reawaken its fighting spirit and genuinely stand for the people, it should either undergo a radical restructuring or step aside and allow a more dynamic movement to take its place.

The choice is now with the NLC: will it rise again, or will it fade into oblivion, remembered only as a relic of Nigeria’s labour history? The time for decisive action is now.

Col. Oluwadare (rtd) is of the Department of Political Science, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna