The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerian workers to remain united and take collective action as the surest path to overcoming the country’s worsening economic hardship.
The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, made the call in a Christmas message issued on Wednesday in Abuja, saying the festive season should remind Nigerians of hope, renewal, and strength through solidarity.
He said the message was directed at workers and the wider public, who continue to face rising hardship driven by unfavourable policies and economic pressures.
Mr. Ajaero stressed that hope must not be passive, but organised and expressed through collective action at both community and workplace levels.
“Our hope is not passive. It is built on our collective power and our ability to organise and act together as workers and citizens,” he said.
He warned that those who benefit from hardship often attempt to divide Nigerians along ethnic, religious, and regional lines, urging workers not to fall victim to such tactics.
“We must not allow ourselves to be divided. Our strength lies in unity, solidarity, and disciplined collective action,” he said.
The NLC President also called for tax justice, arguing that any tax system designed without considering workers was unfair and unacceptable.
He demanded fair compensation, respect for workers’ rights, and greater attention to social justice, including access to quality healthcare, education, and decent living conditions.
Mr. Ajaero said justice and equity were essential if Nigeria was to recover and restore dignity to its citizens.
He urged workers to use the festive period to recommit to building a stronger labour movement ahead of 2026, noting that mobilisation would help resist anti-worker policies.
While wishing Nigerians a peaceful Christmas, he called on citizens to renew their commitment to building a just, secure, and inclusive nation through unity and collective effort.
