The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticized many state governors for spending most of their time in Abuja instead of addressing the economic hardships facing their citizens.
NLC President Joe Ajaero made this statement during a town hall meeting with workers at the NLC Secretariat in Lokoja, Kogi State. The meeting was part of the NLC’s visit to commission 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses provided to ease transportation challenges for workers in the state.
Ajaero expressed concern that in five zones visited by the NLC, only one governor was present to engage with workers. He stressed that governors’ absence is negatively affecting governance and preventing workers from voicing their concerns directly.
He also condemned the proposed hike in telecom tariffs, stating that it would worsen the already high cost of living for workers.
Kogi State holds special significance for the NLC, as both Governor Usman Ododo and his deputy have backgrounds in union leadership. The town hall meeting aimed to assess the government’s response to workers’ needs.
One major issue raised was the proscription of labour unions in state-owned tertiary institutions, including Kogi State Polytechnic, Kogi State University, and the State Colleges of Education, Technology, and Nursing for over 10 years. Ajaero insisted that no governor has the power to ban unions, as labour laws fall under the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution.
Workers also called on the NLC to intervene in issues such as non-implementation of salary increases, lack of housing for workers and teacher shortages in primary and junior secondary schools.