Joe Ajaero currently serves as the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Staying true to the long-standing tradition of Nigeria’s labour movement, Ajaero has been instrumental in rallying workers to demand better welfare from both the government and private employers. As is often the case with labour leaders, his activism has come at a personal cost. Just last month, the NLC reminded the public of a brutal attack on Ajaero in Imo State the previous year, highlighting that those responsible for his abduction and assault have yet to face justice.
Throughout 2024, Ajaero remained at the center of controversy. In May, the NLC, alongside the Trade Union Congress, organized a nationwide strike to protest the government’s delay in approving a new national minimum wage and the increase in electricity tariffs. By August, Ajaero was summoned by the Nigerian police for investigation on charges ranging from criminal conspiracy and terrorism financing to treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.
Despite his relentless activism and personal challenges, Ajaero has struggled to maintain widespread public support, though he continues to attract media attention. Many Nigerians debated whether the NLC deserved their solidarity, particularly as the union often appeared to cave under government pressure. For example, after initially demanding a minimum wage of N250,000.00, the NLC eventually settled for the government’s offer of N70,000.00. Yet, with only a handful of Nigeria’s 36 states implementing the new wage, the NLC threatened an ‘indefinite’ strike in non-compliant states starting December 1.
As the deadline approaches, Ajaero has remained vocal about the inadequate enforcement of the new minimum wage, especially at the state level.
Ajaero’s efforts underscore the paradox within Nigeria’s civic space—where there is significant activism but limited tangible progress—as the nation grapples with both democratic and economic decline. Nevertheless, dismissing his fervent advocacy for workers’ rights would overlook the crucial role he plays in defending their welfare.