By Omole Ibukun
THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened a national symposium on Thursday, August 31, 2023, under the theme: “Nigerian Economy and the Crisis of Survival: Robbing the Poor to Pay the Rich.”
The symposium, which held in Abuja, featured discussions on the dire state of Nigeria’s economy and the urgent need for change.
Former General Secretary of the NLC, Prof. Peter Ozo-Eson, delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for the symposium. He expressed deep concern about the deteriorating healthcare and education sectors in Nigeria, stating that “Education is collapsed. It has been so commercialized, and the rich realized that they can make a profit off you by establishing their own educational institutions while running down the public school system. The greatest demonstration of this is our tertiary education – universities. It wasn’t accidental that the policy of private universities was nurtured and speedily implemented, and suddenly every member of that class owns one.”
Moreover, he called for a radical shift in Nigeria’s economic system, declaring: “We have to tear down Capitalism.” Prof. Ozo-Eson urged the NLC to take the lead in forming a progressive left party to champion the interests of the working class.
Femi Falana, prominent activist and human rights lawyer, who served as a panelist at the symposium, urged the NLC to prepare for a confrontation with Nigeria’s “peripheral capitalism.”
He proposed specific tasks for the leadership of NLC, which include monitoring the rehabilitation of refineries and advocating for the government to purchase refineries abroad for assembly in Nigeria. he proposed this as a strategy to maximise profits from Nigeria’s abundant oil resources.
Falana also called out oil companies, identifying Shell as a key culprit in oil theft, citing Tompolo’s discovery of a pipeline stealing 40,000 barrels of crude oil per day for nine years, which allegedly belonged to Shell. He emphasized that 370 wealthy individuals owe Nigeria a staggering 5.4 trillion naira, in line with the theme of the event.
Another panelist, Journalist Sam Amadi, raised concerns about the financialisation of Nigeria’s economy. He defended subsidies, stating: “Subsidy is not bad in itself. What’s bad is an inefficiently administered subsidy.”
He emphasised the importance of regulation over privatisation to address economic challenges. He called on the NLC to create a social movement involving workers, students, and communities, advocating for sustained efforts rather than episodic interventions.
Dr Dahiru, also a panelist, painted a stark picture of Nigeria’s poverty, saying: “You don’t need statistics to see the poverty in Nigeria. You just have to look around you and you’ll see it roaming around you.” He criticised privatisation and emphasised the need for state involvement in the economy, aligning with Amadi’s stance.
The panel discussion, moderated by Seun Okinbaloye, was intended as a closed-door meeting, and questions from the audience were not entertained. It was meant to precede a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC.
According to a communiqué of the closed-door NEC meeting held afterward, the NEC of the NLC acknowledged that there is extensive hardships and suffering afflicting Nigerian citizens.
The communiqué, signed by the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and the General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, highlighted the federal government’s failure to address the prevailing suffering and its disregard for engaging with national stakeholders through social dialogue.
The NEC also expressed alarm over the renewed threats against trade unions and their leaders by various state governors.
Popular Protests
The NEC outlined a number of popular actions in response to increased hardship occasioned by the anti-people policies of the Tinubu government. These include:
1) Decision to embark on a total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 to 21 working days until the government addresses mass suffering in the country.
2) A nationwide warning strike on September 5th and 6th to demonstrate the readiness for broader strikes.
3) Plan for a mass protest and rally in Imo State about state governments’ interference in trade union affairs and workers’ rights.
4) Intention to shut down operations of Air Peace Airline and other aviation sector companies involved in labour rights violations.
5) Call on communities to report issues involving the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN), and 6) Demand that the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to focus on providing housing rather than threatening demolition.
