President Bola Tinubu held a late-night meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and allied labour unions at the State House in Abuja as the unions prepared for a nationwide protest over rising insecurity across Nigeria. The talk happened on Tuesday night, hours before the protest scheduled for the next day.
The meeting was part of what government officials described as efforts to avert the planned mass action. Tinubu met with NLC President Joe Ajaero and other top labour officials. Also present were Governor Hope Uzodimma, chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
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The labour leadership came to consult with the President but did not immediately cancel the protest. After the meeting, Ajaero told reporters that labour leaders would hold internal discussions before announcing their final decision. He said the union would return to its wider leadership to digest what the President said and decide on the next steps. He made it clear that decisions aren’t made by one person alone and that the union would communicate its position later.
The NLC had called for nationwide protests to press the federal government to take urgent action on the worsening security situation in the country. Labour leaders have said that insecurity has affected every part of life, hitting workers and businesses hard, discouraging investment, and putting lives at risk. They pointed to kidnappings, banditry, and violence as reasons why Nigerians must demand better protection and governance.
Police and security agencies had placed commands on alert ahead of the planned protest, with officers mobilised to ensure public safety and prevent violence. Authorities urged Nigerians to exercise their right to protest peacefully while warning against any unlawful behaviour or disruptions.
The late-night consultation was a high-stakes moment. With momentum growing for the protest, the government aimed to find common ground with labour leaders and possibly avoid unrest on the streets. The NLC, however, made it clear that it retained its right to protest if its concerns are not fully addressed.
Officials have not yet announced whether the protest will go ahead as scheduled. Labour leaders planned to meet early on Wednesday to conclude their decision based on the outcomes of the meeting with Tinubu and other stakeholders.
The protest is expected to draw workers and civil society groups nationwide, pressing for concrete government action to reduce insecurity and protect citizens’ lives and property.