ILO Gives Nigeria September Deadline to Address Labour Rights Concerns

Nigeria has been given until September to report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on measures taken to address concerns relating to labour rights, workers’ welfare and compliance with key international labour standards.

The development was disclosed on Friday by the Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nuhu Toro, while briefing journalists on the outcome of the ongoing 113th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to Toro, the deadline followed deliberations by the ILO on complaints concerning workers’ rights, trade union freedoms and Nigeria’s implementation of international labour conventions it has ratified.

He described the decision as an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to improving labour conditions and meeting its obligations under international law.

“We are excited that Nigeria has been given a timeline to revert back on issues of core complaints, particularly concerning ILO Conventions 87 and 98,” Toro said.

“The entire issue of workers’ welfare in Nigeria is critical to us and we believe this process will help advance labour rights protections.”

Convention 87 guarantees workers the right to freely form and join trade unions, while Convention 98 focuses on the protection of collective bargaining rights.

Toro explained that Nigeria is expected to provide updates on steps taken to address concerns raised by workers organisations regarding compliance with both conventions.

“From now to September, Nigeria is expected to revert to the ILO on the issues raised. That timeline provides an opportunity for authorities and stakeholders to demonstrate progress on labour rights reforms,” he said.

The labour leader also welcomed recent efforts aimed at improving gender inclusion within trade unions, noting that the TUC has introduced policies to increase women’s participation in leadership positions nationwide.

According to him, the congress has reserved the positions of state secretary and vice-chairperson for women across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Before the current administration, you could hardly find five women in meetings attended by more than 100 comrades from across Nigeria. Today, many women are beneficiaries of our gender inclusion policy and are actively participating in leadership processes,” he said.

Toro noted that women currently occupy strategic leadership positions within the congress, including chairperson positions in Lagos State and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the policy reflects the organisation’s commitment to dismantling barriers that have historically limited women’s advancement within the labour movement.

“We are determined to ensure women’s voices are heard. We will do everything possible to shatter the glass ceiling and promote greater gender representation within organised labour,” he added.

Despite the progress, Toro expressed concern over what he described as increasing interference by some state governments in trade union affairs.

He cited alleged cases in Lagos, Rivers and Edo states, arguing that such actions undermine democratically elected labour leaders and weaken the independence of organised labour.

“It is unfortunate that some state authorities continue to interfere in trade union affairs. Trade unions must be allowed to operate independently and in line with their constitutions and democratic processes,” he said.

He called on governments at all levels to respect workers’ rights and uphold internationally recognised principles governing freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Toro reaffirmed the TUC’s commitment to protecting workers’ interests and promoting full compliance with international labour standards across Nigeria.