Joe Ajaero condemns judiciary’s unfair treatment of workers, calling for labour law reforms to promote justice and protect union rights

Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, has condemned the judiciary’s unfair treatment of workers, warning that the growing misuse of legal processes against unions poses a serious threat to labour justice and industrial harmony in Nigeria.

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Speaking in Abuja on Thursday during the 2025 Annual Public Lecture of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), themed Labour Law and Labour Law Education, Ajaero said it was time for all stakeholders to collaborate in defending workers’ constitutional rights.

He noted that a healthy, fair, and productive industrial relations system was vital to national progress.

According to him, justice can only thrive when the judiciary understands the dynamics and psychology of industrial actors.

“For this to be achieved, key players within the judicial process must possess a deep and nuanced understanding of the aspirations and legitimate tactics of labour movements. This will ensure balanced decisions that truly uphold justice,” Ajaero said.

The NLC President lamented that some governments, public agencies, and private employers have turned to the courts to silence unions and stop workers from exercising their right to association and collective bargaining.

He stressed that the courts must act as a shield for the vulnerable, not as a tool for oppression.

Ajaero urged the Federal Executive to urgently send the reviewed Labour Administration Laws to the National Assembly, describing the delay as a major setback to Nigeria’s industrial justice system.

“The continued delay is a disservice to the labour adjudicatory process and undermines our nation,” he stated.

In his response, Justice Benedict Kanyip, President of the NICN, called for greater emphasis on labour law education in schools, saying this would help citizens better understand their rights and duties in the workplace.

He explained that both labour justice and labour law education are intertwined concepts rooted in fairness, dignity, and the rule of law.

“Labour justice is about ensuring equity in the workplace,” Justice Kanyip said. “It promotes fair working conditions and respect for human rights across all sectors.”

Professor Ademola Popoola of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, added that labour justice should be pursued within a broader framework of human security, which he described as fundamental to Nigeria’s Constitution.

He called for the review of Chapter Two of the 1999 Constitution to make its provisions justiciable, thereby enhancing the protection of workers’ rights.

Popoola also encouraged the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, warning that the NICN must be strengthened to manage the increasing volume of labour-related cases effectively.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, established under the Trade Disputes Act of 1976 and recognised by Section 254C of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), remains the primary court for labour and employment matters in the country.

Despite its critical role, experts continue to urge for wider public awareness of labour laws to prevent disputes and promote industrial peace.

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With Joe Ajaero’s renewed call for fairness and reform, labour advocates say the time has come to restore confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system and ensure that justice serves, rather than silences, the nation’s workforce.