Amid mounting pressure from labor unions, civil society organizations, and international bodies, the Nigerian government was compelled to release NLC President Joe Ajaero late Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Ajaero was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, as he was preparing to fly to the United Kingdom to attend the Trade Union Congress (TUC) meeting in Britain.
Ajaero’s arrest triggered an immediate outcry from labor unions, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) mobilizing for a nationwide strike. Sources within the NLC revealed that all necessary preparations for a total shutdown had been finalized, pending the approval of the National Executive Council (NEC) during a meeting scheduled for the same day.
International trade unions, including Public Service International (PSI), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and IndustriALL Global Union (IGU), were also lobbying their governments to act against Nigeria over Ajaero’s detention, citing violations of human rights and the persecution of union leaders.
Ajaero, who has been vocal on labor issues, said he was interrogated by both DSS and the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). He expressed disbelief at his public embarrassment, stating that the questions asked during his detention were a repeat of those raised during a previous meeting on August 29, 2024.
The labor leader’s release before the midnight deadline set by labor unions averted the nationwide strike, but the incident has heightened tensions between the government and organized labor.
