August 30, 2026
The Take It Back Movement (TIB sends its condolences to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), its leadership, affiliated unions, members and the Nigerian working class following the death of the Congress’ General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Okechukwu Ugboaja, Esq., mni.
We share in the grief of his family, colleagues and comrades, and particularly with the NLC at this difficult time. The death of a serving General Secretary is a significant loss to the Congress, coming at a time when Nigerian workers are facing some of the hardest economic conditions in recent memory.
The NLC has a long history of standing up for workers and resisting policies that make life harder for ordinary Nigerians. Today, workers are dealing with rising food prices, unaffordable transport, high rents, unemployment, insecure jobs and wages that continue to fall behind the cost of living.
For many workers, going to work no longer guarantees a decent standard of living. For millions of young Nigerians, finding stable and decent employment remains a major challenge. Families are struggling to pay for food, housing, healthcare and education, while the value of their incomes continues to decline.
These are the realities that make a strong and independent labour movement necessary.
The Take It Back Movement stands with the Nigeria Labour Congress and the wider organised labour movement as they navigate this period of mourning. We also stand with workers across the country who continue to organise and fight for better wages, decent working conditions and a life of dignity.
The struggles facing Nigerian workers will not disappear because the country has lost one of its labour leaders. If anything, they remind us of the need for greater unity and collective action among workers, trade unions, young people and all those fighting for a better Nigeria.
The demand for a living wage remains legitimate. So does the demand for affordable public services, social protection, secure employment and an economy that puts the needs of people before profit.
We believes that workers must remain at the centre of the struggle for social and economic justice in Nigeria. The labour movement has an important role to play in defending not only wages and working conditions, but also the democratic and social rights of ordinary Nigerians.
At this moment, however, our immediate concern is to stand with the NLC. We extend our condolences to Comrade Ugboaja’s family, the leadership and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the National Executive Council, affiliated unions, colleagues and comrades across the labour movement.
We share your loss, and we stand with you.
The struggle for justice, dignity and a better Nigeria continues.
Aluta Continua!
Signed:
Juwon Sanyaolu
National Coordinator
Take It Back Movement
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