A DISPUTE over the ownership of two plots of land in Abuja has escalated between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), with both parties making conflicting claims and threatening legal action.
The public feud not only exposes a farcical but glaring institutional dysfunction in the relationship between the two organisations with a history of structured collaboration and statutory responsibilities for the social protection of workers.
The controversy erupted after NSITF’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oluwaseun Faleye, published a public notice in national dailies on July 10, 2025, declaring the loss of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), Power of Attorney, and Deed of Assignment for Plots MISC 54707 and MISC 54824 in Abuja.
The notice warned government agencies and the public against transacting with anyone presenting the “lost” documents, implying potential fraudulent activity.
The notice, which appeared in Vanguard (page 7) and The Sun (page 9), urged the public, the Department of Land Administration, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) not to engage in any transactions with individuals presenting the original documents.
However, the NLC, in a strongly worded press statement signed by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, swiftly dismissed the notice, describing it as “mischievous, utterly ridiculous, or an act of sheer ignorance.”
Comrade Ajaero asserted that the plots had always belonged to the NLC and that the foremost Labour Centre was in possession of the relevant title documents.
“We find this publication as mischievous or utterly ridiculous or hopefully, an act of sheer ignorance because the aforesaid plots of land have always belonged to the Nigeria Labour Congress, belong to the Nigeria Labour Congress and will continue to belong to the Nigeria Labour Congress. Coupled with this, the Congress has been in possession of the aforesaid plots of land.
“In a few words, therefore, both the proprietory (sic) and possesory (sic) rights on, over and about those plots reside with the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“It is trite knowledge that one cannot claim loss or issue loss notice over that which one has neither possesory 9(sic) nor proprietary right.
“Accordingly, NISTF is advised to withdraw this notice. We are neither pressing charges nor asking for damages for the embarrassment this public notice has caused us for now,” the NLC asserted in the statement.
Ajaero advised NSITF to consult the NLC and Trustfund Pensions for clarification on the land’s true ownership as he called on the public and land authorities to disregard NSITF’s publication.
“NISTF is equally advised to consult the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trustfund Pensions for the true position of the aforesaid plots of land.
“Finally, the general public, FCTA, AGIS and other authorities vested with powers on land titling are urged to ignore this notice.”
In response, NSITF, through its Head of Corporate Affairs, Alexandra Mede, reaffirmed its stance, stating that the Fund stood by its earlier notice and was prepared to involve the appropriate authorities to resolve the matter legally.
“The Fund reaffirms its position as stated in its previous publication and maintains full confidence that the appropriate authorities will resolve the matter in accordance with the law,” Mede said.
The NSITF has also hinted at possible legal action against the NLC, deepening the dispute.
This latest development adds to a long-standing contention between both organizations over the ownership of the said plots. Observers expect the matter to proceed to court if no resolution is reached through dialogue, in view of the fact that the NLC is statutorily represented in the board of the NSITF. Stakeholders, including the FCTA and AGIS, are yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
