Tinubu Holds Talks With Labour Chiefs Ahead of Nationwide Protest

President Bola Tinubu convened a closed‑door meeting with top officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress at the State House in Abuja on Tuesday, just hours before the union’s scheduled “National Day of Protest” against rising insecurity. The president was joined by several governors and Labour Minister Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and both sides described the talks as a genuine effort to find common ground and avoid disruption to daily life.

Labour leader Joe Ajaero, who led the NLC delegation, told reporters after the session that the union would reconvene its National Executive Council to decide whether the protest would proceed. He emphasized that any decision would be collective, and that the meeting had been constructive despite the tense backdrop.

The talks come amid heightened concern over escalating kidnappings, banditry and violence that have left workers and their families vulnerable. Union officials called on the government to declare insecurity a national emergency and to take decisive action, warning that any attack on peaceful demonstrators would be met with a strong response.

While no final announcement was made on the protest’s status, both the presidency and labour expressed confidence that continued dialogue could yield solutions. The government pledged to address workers’ concerns, including welfare packages and security measures, and urged Nigerians to remain patient as talks progress. The outcome of the NLC’s internal deliberations is expected later today.