The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday formally announced the death of its immediate past General Secretary, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson.
Dr Ozo-Eson died on Saturday, 13th December 2025, following a prolonged illness at the age of 78.
According to a press statement signed by NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Comrade Benson Upah, Ozo-Eson, who was born on 29th June 1948, would be buried on 23rd January 2026 after a Funeral Mass. This will be preceded on 22nd January 2026 by Vigil Mass/Tributes Night at Holy Trinity Church, Maitama, Abuja, where a thanksgiving Mass will also be held on 25th January 2026.
Ozo-Eson, the statement said was a scholar, economist, and dedicated labour activist whose career spanned over four decades after he graduated in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1974, where he first cut his teeth as a student activist.
He furthered his studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada, obtaining both Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Economics.
His academic career, the statement also stated, was notably spent at the University of Jos, where he served from 1982, rising to the rank of Associate Professor before his retirement in 2002.
He also contributed significantly to policy research as Director of Projects and later Acting Executive Director at the Centre for Advanced Social Sciences (CASS), Port Harcourt, between 1998 and 2003.
In 2003, according to Comrade Upah, Dr. Ozo-Eson was head-hunted by the Nigeria Labour Congress to serve as its Chief Economist and Head of Research, adding that his profound understanding of the Nigerian economy and exceptional negotiating skills led to his appointment as the General Secretary of the NLC in 2014, a position he reportedly held with distinction until his voluntary retirement in 2019.
Dr. Ozo-Eson’s expertise was sought in numerous national capacities, Upah stated, outlining that he served on the drafting teams for the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS I & II), the Steering Committee of Vision 20:2020, the National Council on NEPAD, and the Board of the PPPRA.
Upah noted that Dr. Ozo-Eson was also a pivotal member of various Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and NLC negotiation teams, where his insights were invaluable.
A committed academic, he served on accreditation teams for several universities and mentored generations of scholars. His public service included membership on the Presidential Study Group on Monetisation of Fringe Benefits in 1992 and the National Advisory Council.
Upah described Dr. Ozo-Eson as “a scholar of repute, a researcher with an eagle eye, an administrator, an organiser, and a battle-tested General of many wars,” noting that his passing represents a significant loss to the labour movement, academia, and the broader community of progressive elements in Nigeria.
He is survived by his wife, Professor Philomina Ozo-Eson, his children, and grandchildren.
