The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, defied last-minute appeals from the Presidency and staged a nationwide protest against worsening insecurity and the harsh economic climate.
Talks Collapse, Protest Proceeds
A late-night meeting on Tuesday between President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the NLC failed to stop the planned industrial action. The engagement, convened in a bid to avert the demonstration, did not yield a resolution on the critical issues raised by the labour union. Consequently, the NLC proceeded with the action it had announced after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on December 4.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, led the protest from the Labour House in Abuja early Wednesday morning. He was joined by civil society activists, including Omoyele Sowore of the Revolution Now Movement. In Lagos, a similar demonstration saw protesters converging in Ikeja, carrying placards and chanting slogans to demand urgent government intervention to curb kidnappings and violent crimes.
Anger Over Insecurity and Unfulfilled Promises
Addressing journalists in Abuja, an angry NLC member voiced the frustration of many, stating, “Any kidnapper should be sentenced to death… They should kill them immediately.” The union said the protest was a direct response to a terrifying surge in insecurity, including mass abductions and killings, which have persisted despite repeated appeals to authorities.
The NLC specifically highlighted the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State on November 17, an attack that also claimed the lives of two staff members. The NEC condemned what it described as the suspicious withdrawal of security personnel ahead of the incident and demanded accountability.
Beyond the security crisis, the demonstration also reflected broader labour grievances. These include:
- Unresolved agreements with the Federal Government.
- The crippling rising cost of living.
- The devastating impact of insecurity on workers’ safety, productivity, and livelihoods.
The union noted that teachers, farmers, miners, and other workers have been among those killed or displaced in attacks across several states.
A Peaceful Call for Action
In a communiqué, the NLC declared, “The surge in kidnappings targeting schoolchildren has reached an alarming and unacceptable level.” It stated that the protest aimed to mobilise public opinion and compel authorities to prioritise security and governance reforms.
The union stressed that the demonstrations were peaceful and lawful. In a notice circulated to its state chapters on December 10, the NLC urged members to conduct themselves responsibly, describing the action as constitutionally protected. Police officers were deployed to monitor protest locations in Abuja and Lagos. The NLC said it had formally notified security agencies in advance and called on them to protect citizens exercising their right to peaceful assembly, affirming that “Solidarity is our shield.”
