President Bola Tinubu and the governors of the Progressive Governors Forum met with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leadership at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, accelerating political reorganizations ahead of the general elections in 2027.
With Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honor, the Progressive Governors sponsored the summit, which was set to start at 11:00 a.m. at the State House Banquet Hall.
At a period of economic hardship and political realignment, the invitation to the NLC leadership is often interpreted as an attempt to strengthen communication between the federal government, state governors, and organized labor.
The summit is intended to promote governance discourse, stakeholder cooperation, and inclusive involvement in national development projects, according to sources with knowledge of the gathering who talked to Vanguard.
According to a labor source, the NLC leadership intends to personally deliver its demands charter to the President.
According to reports, in light of Nigeria’s economic and environmental changes, the charter calls for pay increases as well as the preservation of jobs and means of subsistence.
It also calls for the development of a special Just Transition Fund, the creation of green jobs, reskilling initiatives, improved social safety nets, and formalized three-way communication between the government, companies, and labor.
Insiders say the union is calling for increased pensions, healthcare access, and unemployment safety nets, as well as guarantees against layoffs associated with economic and climate reforms and investments in sustainable businesses and renewable energy to create union-protected jobs.
Speaking under anonymity, a labor leader called the meeting potentially crucial.
Inflation, fuel subsidy withdrawals, and wage disputes have put labor-government ties to the test, he said.
“Direct interaction at Aso Rock indicates an effort to stop the escalation or change the narrative. As the 2027 elections approach, Labour is a powerful political force. In light of economic difficulties, the summit may reset labor-government relations.
The engagement of governors, he continued, indicated planned political alignment ahead of the upcoming election cycle.
“Governors’ involvement signals coordinated political alignment, and its outcome may determine whether negotiation replaces street protests as the main channel of labor influence,” he said.
