The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has conferred its prestigious Shield Award on President Bola Tinubu for what the union described as his commitment to the welfare and interests of Nigerian workers.
The award was presented by the NCSU National President, Comrade Oluwole Sunday, during the union’s 114th anniversary celebration in Abuja on Monday. President Tinubu was represented at the ceremony by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who received the honour on his behalf.
The NCSU described the Shield Award as its highest honour, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service, commitment and dedication to the advancement of Nigerian workers.
According to a statement issued by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Keyamo, the award was presented by the leadership of the union led by Sunday.
Speaking at the ceremony, Sunday described President Tinubu as “a true shield of the Nigerian worker,” citing policies and interventions which he said had prioritised the interests of the labour force.
The NCSU president said the administration’s interventions had helped raise morale within the civil service while demonstrating concern for the welfare and wellbeing of workers across the country.
He said the recognition was an expression of the union’s appreciation for what it regarded as the President’s efforts to improve the conditions of Nigerian workers.
The NCSU, which has 84 affiliates, is regarded as Nigeria’s oldest trade union, with a history spanning more than a century and predating the country’s independence.
The union is also associated with the history of organised labour in Nigeria, particularly its confrontation with British colonial authorities in defence of the rights and interests of Nigerian workers.
Speaking after receiving the award on behalf of the President, Keyamo expressed excitement over the recognition by what he described as “the oldest trade union in Nigeria.”
Keyamo said the union’s historical role in the Nigerian labour movement remained significant because of its long-standing contribution to the struggle for workers’ rights.
“I got an invitation from the oldest trade union in Nigeria,” the minister said, stressing the historical significance of the organisation and its continued commitment to workers.
He added, “You don’t understand, the oldest trade union, the trade union that confronted the British colonialists, is still standing on its feet today.”
Keyamo said he was pleased to participate in the anniversary and commended the union for continuing to advance the interests of Nigerian workers.
The minister, who was also recognised by the union for his continued solidarity with the Nigerian workforce, used the occasion to highlight what he described as President Tinubu’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
He said the President had consistently demonstrated compassion towards workers by responding promptly whenever issues concerning their welfare were brought to his attention.
Keyamo recalled that President Tinubu had recently approved the disbursement of ₦36 billion to former aviation workers, adding that the payment was already at its final stage.
He also disclosed that a new salary structure had been approved for workers of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), addressing a relativity dispute which he said had lasted for more than 15 years.
“When I came to office, the NiMet workers were the most poorly paid,” Keyamo said, explaining that the workers had raised concerns over salary relativity because they performed functions similar to other workers within the aviation industry.
According to him, the matter remained unresolved for more than a decade until it was presented to President Tinubu, who approved the new salary structure and directed the immediate release of funds.
Keyamo also recalled that President Tinubu signed a new minimum wage in 2024 and supported the reduction of the statutory period for minimum-wage reviews from five years to three years.
“President Tinubu said no, reduce it to three years,” Keyamo quoted the President as saying, adding that negotiations for a new minimum wage would commence in 2027 in line with the revised review cycle.
The minister said the administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare was also reflected in efforts within the aviation sector, stressing that workers should not be neglected while top management enjoyed what he described as unnecessary perks.
Keyamo, however, said the struggle for improved workers’ welfare remained ongoing.
“Like we said in our song, the struggle for our workers will continue,” he said.
The Shield Award was subsequently displayed in Keyamo’s office alongside the union’s leadership, including its immediate past President, Comrade Lawrence Ameachi, who served as Chairman of the occasion; Comrade Adoga Gupada, Chairman of the Federal Council; and Comrade Yildet Bigwan, Assistant General Secretary.
