NLC protest Joe Ajaero
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as the alarming speed at which Nigerian courts grant injunctions and ex-parte orders that curtail workers’ legitimate struggles.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the remarks in Abuja on Thursday during the 2025 Annual Public Lecture of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN).
The event was themed: _“Labour Justice and Labour Law Education.”_
According to Ajaero, the pattern of courts swiftly issuing restraining orders—often in favour of government and employers—has become a major obstacle to achieving industrial peace and justice.
> “It is therefore our firm belief that the judicial process, especially under the sacred mandate of the National Industrial Court, must not be used to further the emasculation of workers and their organisations,” Ajaero declared.
“On the contrary, it must be deployed as a shield to protect the weak and vulnerable worker from the paws of unconscionable employers.”
He questioned what he sees as a bias in the judicial process, noting that injunctions seem to be granted quickly only when they benefit employers or the state.
> “We are compelled to ask: Why does it appear that it is only the government and employers that are hastily granted such injunctions by the NICN?” Ajaero asked.
The NLC leader accused some judges of being overly compliant, thereby allowing the misuse of legal tools to suppress constitutionally protected labour activities.
These hasty court orders, he said, often serve to “truncate the legitimate activities of workers and their unions.”
> “This judicial tool, meant to preserve the status quo, has been weaponised to emasculate labour and tilt the balance of power decisively and unjustly against the workforce,” he warned.
Ajaero also expressed concern over what he called the “selective interpretation” of constitutional rights, particularly Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association.
> “While the right of individuals to belong to the political party and religion of their choice is vigorously protected, the correlative right to belong to the trade union of one’s choice appears to be treated with less judicial fervour,” he said.
He urged the NICN to approach its mandate with balance, ensuring the freedom of association is upheld equally—whether at the workplace, polling booth, or place of worship.
In addition, Ajaero called on the executive to urgently forward the Reviewed Labour Administration Laws to the National Assembly to modernise the country’s industrial relations framework.
> “A fair, impartial and efficient adjudicatory process is necessary to realise a healthy, harmonious, robust and productive industrial relations space,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Festus Osifo, highlighted the importance of labour law education in reducing workplace disputes. Represented by Mr. Iyen Adegbe, Osifo said:
> “Many conflicts in workplaces are born not only out of deliberate violations but also out of ignorance of the law. A workforce that understands its rights and obligations… is better positioned to prevent disputes rather than perpetually resolve them.”
Justice Benedict Kanyip, President of the NICN, echoed the call for broader public understanding of labour law, stressing that labour justice is inseparable from labour law education.
> “Labour justice refers to the principles of fairness and equity in the workplace… Labour law education ensures understanding and application of these principles by workers, employers, and legal professionals,” he explained.
Justice Kanyip emphasized that fostering labour justice is not just a legal necessity, but also essential for social justice and sustainable economic growth.
Guest speaker, Prof. Ademola Popoola of Obafemi Awolowo University, called for labour justice to be pursued through the lens of human security. He proposed amending Chapter Two of the Nigerian Constitution to make its provisions legally enforceable, thereby strengthening the foundation for social justice.
Popoola also encouraged workers to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, warning that the NICN risks being overburdened if its institutional capacity isn’t quickly expanded.
NAN
