The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have warned that they may resort to a nationwide strike if the worsening security situation across the country is not urgently addressed by the Federal Government.
The warning was issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
However, the labour centres did not announce a specific date for any industrial action, meaning no strike has been fixed for June 13 or any other date at the moment. The unions stated that a nationwide shutdown remains an option if insecurity continues to escalate without a decisive government response.
Why NLC And TUC Are Threatening A Nationwide Strike
According to the labour unions, the increasing cases of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and violent attacks across Nigeria have become a direct threat to workers’ safety, livelihoods and productivity.
Speaking on the situation, the labour leaders stressed that many Nigerians now go to work daily without any assurance of returning home safely.
The unions argued that the persistent security crisis has disrupted economic activities, affected workers across different sectors and worsened the hardship faced by ordinary citizens.
They warned that organised labour may be compelled to take drastic action if authorities fail to demonstrate stronger commitment to protecting lives and property.
The labour movement maintained that meaningful economic growth and improved welfare for workers cannot be achieved while communities remain under constant threat from criminal groups and armed attackers.
Labour Demands Fresh Minimum Wage Negotiations
Beyond concerns about insecurity, the NLC and TUC also called on the Federal Government to begin preparations for the renegotiation of the National Minimum Wage ahead of the next review expected in July 2027.
The labour centres rejected suggestions that a new minimum wage should simply be legislated without consultations, insisting that any adjustment must emerge through negotiations involving workers and relevant stakeholders.
They also dismissed claims that discussions were already ongoing around a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage, describing such reports as inconsistent with the current state of negotiations on workers’ welfare.
While no strike date has been officially announced, the labour unions reiterated that they would continue to monitor developments and could escalate their response if insecurity and workers’ welfare concerns remain unresolved.
