Nigeria has been given a September deadline to report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on measures taken to address labour rights concerns, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has disclosed.
Nuhu Toro, Secretary-General of the TUC, briefed journalists on Friday following deliberations at the ongoing 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Mr Toro said the ILO – the specialised United Nations agency for the world of work – issued the deadline after reviewing complaints concerning workers’ rights, trade union freedoms, and the implementation of key international labour standards ratified by Nigeria.
He described the decision as an opportunity for Nigeria to demonstrate its commitment to improving workers’ welfare and complying with international labour obligations.
“We are excited that Nigeria has been given a timeline to revert on issues of core complaints, particularly concerning ILO Conventions 87 and 98,” Mr Toro said.
“The entire issue of workers’ welfare in Nigeria is critical to us, and we believe this process will help advance labour rights protections.”
Conventions 87 and 98 Under Scrutiny
Mr Toro explained that Convention 87 deals with freedom of association and the protection of the right to organise, while Convention 98 focuses on collective bargaining rights.
According to him, Nigeria is expected to provide updates on steps taken to address concerns raised by workers’ organisations regarding compliance with these conventions.
“From now until September, Nigeria is expected to revert to the ILO on the issues raised. That timeline provides an opportunity for authorities and stakeholders to demonstrate progress on labour rights reforms,” he said.
Gender Inclusion Gains Momentum
Mr Toro also welcomed the adoption of measures promoting gender inclusion within trade unions, noting that the TUC has implemented deliberate policies to increase women’s participation in leadership positions.
He said the congress has reserved the positions of state secretary and vice-chairperson for women across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Before the current administration, you could hardly find five women in meetings attended by more than 100 comrades from across Nigeria.
“Today, many women are beneficiaries of our gender inclusion policy and are actively participating in leadership processes,” he said.
Women currently occupy strategic leadership positions, including chairperson roles in Lagos State and the FCT. Mr Toro said the policy aligns with the TUC’s commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s advancement within the labour movement and broader society.
“We will do everything possible to shatter the glass ceiling and promote greater gender representation within organised labour,” he added.
Concern Over State Interference
However, the TUC Secretary-General expressed concern over what he described as increasing state interference in trade union administration in some parts of the country.
He cited cases in Lagos, Rivers, and Edo states, alleging that government actions had undermined democratically elected labour leaders and weakened trade union independence.
“It is unfortunate that some state authorities continue to interfere in trade union affairs. Trade unions must be allowed to operate independently and in line with their constitutions and democratic processes,” he said.
Mr Toro urged governments at all levels to respect workers’ rights and uphold internationally recognised principles governing freedom of association and collective bargaining.
He reaffirmed the TUC’s commitment to defending workers’ interests and ensuring full compliance with international labour standards across Nigeria.