Nigeria has been given until September to report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on steps taken to address concerns relating to workers’ rights, trade union freedoms, and compliance with key international labourstandards ratified by the country.
The deadline follows deliberations at the ongoing 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland. Briefing journalists on Friday, Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Toro, said the timeline provides Nigeria with an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to improving workers’ welfare and fulfilling its international labour obligations.
Toro said the ILO, the United Nations specialised agency responsible for labour issues, had requested Nigeria to provide updates on measures taken to address concerns relating to ILO Conventions 87 and 98, which cover freedom of association, the right to organise, and collective bargaining.
According to him, the decision followed discussions on complaints concerning workers’ rights, trade union freedoms, and the implementation of international labour standards already ratified by Nigeria.
“We are excited that Nigeria has been given a timeline to revert on issues arising from core complaints, particularly those concerning ILO Conventions 87 and 98,” Toro said.
“The entire issue of workers’ welfare in Nigeria is critical to us, and we believe this process will help advance labour rights protections.”
He explained that Convention 87 focuses on freedom of association and the protection of workers’ rights to organise, while Convention 98 covers workers’ rights to collective bargaining.
According to Toro, Nigeria is expected to provide updates on measures taken to address concerns raised by workers’ organisations regarding compliance with the two conventions.
“From now until September, Nigeria is expected to revert to the ILO on the issues raised,” he said.
“That timeline provides an opportunity for authorities and stakeholders to demonstrate progress on labour rights reforms.”
Toro also welcomed initiatives aimed at promoting gender inclusion within trade unions, saying the TUC had introduced deliberate policies to increase women’s participation in leadership positions.
He disclosed that the congress had reserved the positions of state secretary and vice-chairperson for women across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
“Before the current administration, you could hardly find five women in meetings attended by more than 100 comrades from across Nigeria,” he said.
“Today, many women are beneficiaries of our gender inclusion policy and are actively participating in leadership processes.”
Toro noted that women now occupy strategic leadership positions within the labour movement, including the office of chairperson of the congress in Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the policy aligns with the congress’s commitment to breaking barriers that limit women’s advancement within organised labour and society at large.
“We are determined to ensure women’s voices are heard,” Toro said.
“We will do everything possible to shatter the glass ceiling and promote greater gender representation within organisedlabour.”
However, Toro expressed concern over what he described as increasing interference by some state governments in trade union administration.
He cited cases in Lagos, Rivers, and Edo states, alleging that government actions had undermined democratically elected labour leaders and weakened trade union independence.
“It is unfortunate that some state authorities continue to interfere in trade union affairs,” he said.
“Trade unions must be allowed to operate independently and in line with their constitutions and democratic processes.”
Toro urged governments at all levels to respect workers’ rights and uphold internationally recognised principles governing freedom of association and collective bargaining.
He reaffirmed the TUC’s commitment to defending workers’ interests and ensuring full compliance with international labour standards across the country.
