The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to constitute the governing board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and return allegedly diverted workers’ funds from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
In a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, the NLC said the ultimatum followed a meeting of its Central Working Committee (CWC) on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, to address pressing issues affecting Nigerian workers, the trade union movement, and the nation.
The labour body accused the Federal Government of diverting 40% of workers’ contributions in the NSITF to the national coffers as “revenue,” describing the move as a “flagrant violation” of the statutes establishing the fund.
The communiqué also condemned what it called “false claims” by the new administration over the ownership of the NLC National Headquarters — a property it insists belongs to Nigerian workers. It further alleged that the government was engaging in cyber and media intimidation of trade unions and attempting to amend the NSITF Act in ways that would strip workers of their rights and give the government full control of the funds.“
The NSITF belongs to the Nigerian working class, and we will mobilise all legitimate means to protect workers’ interests,” Ajaero stated.
The NLC demanded that:The NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days.
The PENCOM board must be fully constituted in line with the law within the same period.
The Pension Commission must submit a full status report of the funds to the NLC.Ajaero warned that failure to meet these demands would compel the NLC to take action, adding, “If at the end of these seven working days nothing is done, the NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.”
