February 11, 2025 – Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), raised concerns on Monday about the growing trend of governors living permanently in Abuja, which he claims harms their states.
Ajaero’s remarks came in reaction to the recent ban on labor unions in state-owned tertiary institutions by former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello during a town hall meeting in Lokoja. He emphasized that governors do not possess the authority to outlaw labor unions, as their operations are governed by the exclusive legislative list outlined in the Constitution.
He stated, “Union activities fall under the exclusive legislative list. No governor can ban unions; you cannot prohibit what you do not control. Unions are registered nationally, and while they may have local branches, banning them is beyond the state’s jurisdiction.”
Expressing surprise at the situation in Kogi, Ajaero insisted that the state government lacks the legal right to impose such a ban. He expressed frustration that many governors neglect their duties by spending most of their time in Abuja, leaving constituents to struggle with various challenges.
During his visit, Ajaero mentioned that the NLC leadership was in Kogi to introduce 10 Compressed Natural Gas buses to alleviate transportation issues. He noted that during his visits to five zones, he found only one state governor present, which he believes hampers effective governance.
Ajaero remarked, “Most governors are permanently based in Abuja. We have visited five regions, and only in one state was the governor available. This trend affects governance and the people’s ability to connect with their leaders.”
He highlighted the importance of Kogi State to the NLC, given that both the governor and deputy governor are union leaders. Ajaero expressed a desire to listen to workers’ concerns and communicate these issues to the state leadership.
Workers in Kogi reported that labor unions in polytechnics, the university, and colleges of education have faced bans for over a decade. Their demands include the implementation of annual salary increases, housing provisions for employees, and addressing teacher shortages in primary and junior secondary schools.
Ajaero reaffirmed the NLC’s commitment to advocating for workers’ rights and addressing their concerns with state authorities.
