The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide protest for Thursday, December 17, 2025, citing rising insecurity, deepening poverty, a worsening crisis in tertiary education, prolonged industrial actions in the health sector, and alleged political interference in the Labour Party.
The decision followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on December 4 at the NLC Sub-Secretariat in Yaba, Lagos. In its communiqué, the council expressed “deep worry” over the deteriorating security situation across the country.
The NEC referenced the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State on November 17, an attack during which two staff members were killed. The union condemned the reported withdrawal of security personnel before the incident, warning that the pattern of targeted kidnappings of schoolchildren has reached “a dangerous level” that demands urgent government action.
The NLC also highlighted the economic strain facing citizens, pointing to the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update released in October 2025, which estimates that about 139 million Nigerians — roughly 61 to 62 percent of the population — now live in poverty. It urged the government to increase investment in school security, especially in vulnerable regions, and ensure accountability for security failures.
Turning to education, the union raised alarm over the “deep crisis” in tertiary institutions, stating that university infrastructure is deteriorating, teaching materials are outdated, research is poorly funded, and staff allowances often remain unpaid. It called for fair compensation for all categories of university workers.
The NEC also reviewed the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), which began on November 14, expressing concern over reports that some nurses had withdrawn from the action. It warned that the NLC and its affiliates could fully join the strike if negotiations between the union and the government collapse.
On the political front, the NLC announced the revival of the Labour–Civil Society Coalition to reinforce joint advocacy on national issues. It also criticised the Namadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee for alleged interference in the Labour Party and resolved to withdraw all NLC members from the affected committees while pursuing alliances with political groups aligned with working-class interests.
According to the NLC, the December 17 mass protest has become necessary to draw nationwide attention to “government failures on security, economic hardship, industrial crises, and political integrity.”
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