The National Administrative Council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has ratified the re-election of Festus Osifo as its President for another four-year term.
This development comes as President Bola Tinubu urged both the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to prioritize transparency in the election of their leaders.
Osifo and 18 other members of the executive were returned to office unopposed during their inaugural quadrennial National Delegate Conference held on Friday evening in Abuja.
Before the election, Osifo addressed the conference, expressing his concerns about the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria, which have significantly impacted workers.
Speaking on the conference theme, “The Future of Work – Ensuring Fair Labour Practices and Economic Justice in a Digital Era,” Osifo highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerian workers, particularly due to the devaluation of the Naira under President Tinubu’s administration.
He also commented on the growing insecurity in the country, noting that the killings in states like Plateau, Benue, and Borno were worsening food insecurity.
“One of the reasons the food prices are skyrocketing today is actually because of the insecurity we are having in places like Plateau, Benue, Borno, and I could go on and on,” he explained, stressing that insecurity was preventing farmers from accessing their farmlands.
Osifo emphasized that insecurity and unemployment were contributing to the current crisis, urging the government to take decisive action.
He also raised concerns over the increasing number of out-of-school children, calling on all levels of government to prioritize education and tackle child labour.
“We cannot have a country where we have between 20 million and 40 million out-of-school children. We don’t feel that this is correct; we think it’s wrong,” he stated.
Osifo urged state governments to take responsibility for addressing the education crisis, as education is not solely a federal matter.
The Country Director of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, Vanessa Phala, commended the TUC for its efforts but warned of tougher times ahead.
“We recognize each and every effort that you have made in trying to really make workers’ lives better in Nigeria.”
“We are also aware that the journey has not been easy, and it is going to be tougher because of the challenges that the President has shared with us,” she said.
Phala expressed the ILO’s continued support for the TUC, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the proper implementation of the minimum wage.
“We’ve implemented several interventions together. We’ve been behind the TUC in some of the achievements that you’ve had, and I’m very happy that we were able to negotiate a new minimum wage,” she noted, urging the TUC to continue fighting for fair compensation for workers.
Representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, conveyed the President’s message encouraging labour unions to prioritize transparency and integrity when electing new leaders.
“I urge you to elect leaders with vision, accountability, and innovation, individuals who will champion workers’ voices in a rapidly changing world of work,” Tinubu said.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian workers, emphasizing the importance of fair labour practices, strengthening labour laws, and investing in skills development amid growing economic challenges.
He also stressed the need for responsible use of technology to avoid job displacement and economic inequalities.
“Your demand for better economic conditions following the removal of the floor subsidy in 2023 and your subsequent active participation in negotiations with the government culminated in the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers today, attests to your invaluable efforts,” Tinubu stated, highlighting the role of workers in building a prosperous Nigeria.
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