The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Enugu State Council, has elected a new leadership following its 1st Quadrennial Delegate Conference, with labour leaders renewing calls for improved workers’ welfare, sustained industrial harmony, and deeper engagement with the Enugu State Government.
The conference, held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Residency Hotels, Independence Layout, Enugu, drew delegates from affiliated industrial unions across the state, alongside observers from the national leadership of the TUC and officials of the Ministry of Labour.
The event opened with prayers, goodwill messages, and a welcome address by the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Comrade Emeka Osuagwu, who described the conference as “a reaffirmation of the democratic ideals of the labour movement.”
Reflecting on the tenure of the outgoing leadership, Osuagwu noted that significant progress was made in workers’ advocacy, government engagement, and dispute resolution despite prevailing economic pressures.
According to him, “We may not have achieved everything, but we laid a strong foundation for a more united, resilient, and responsive TUC in Enugu State.”
Following the presentation and adoption of the outgoing executive’s activity and financial reports, delegates proceeded to elect new officers through a secret ballot conducted by an electoral committee led by the National Secretary General of TUC, Comrade General Nuhu Toro, PhD, mni, in line with the Congress’ constitution and electoral guidelines.
Addressing delegates ahead of the election, Comrade Toro described the conference as the formal commencement of the TUC’s quadrennial electoral cycle in Enugu State. He stressed that the Congress remains a unified and constitutionally recognised labour body, noting that the leadership produced through the process would remain the only legitimate and nationally recognised TUC structure in the state.
At the end of the exercise, Comrade Enwerem Alexander Chima of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) emerged as Chairperson of the Trade Union Congress, Enugu State Council.
Other members of the State Administrative Council (SAC) include:
- Vice Chairperson — Comrade Onyia Kosisochukwu Pamela
- State Secretary — Comrade Nwobodo Henry
- Assistant Secretary — Comrade Okeru Ifeoma
- Treasurer — Comrade Nnaji Ikechukwu
- Financial Secretary — Comrade Nnaji Izuchukwu
- Auditor — Comrade Clement Chioke
- Public Relations Officer — Comrade Ikeh Ejike
- Ex-Officio — Comrade Ben Asogwa
TUC Women Commission
- Chairperson — Comrade Nweke Okwy
- Secretary — Comrade Ahukanna Juliet
The election was widely commended by delegates and observers, who described the process as peaceful, transparent, and credible, reflecting the maturity of internal democracy within the Congress.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman, Comrade Chima, pledged to lead an inclusive and proactive administration focused on protecting workers across both public and private sectors.
He said, “The trust you have placed in us today is a call to service. Our administration will prioritise workers’ welfare, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, continuous social dialogue, and constructive engagement with government and employers.”
He further assured that his leadership would strictly uphold the TUC Constitution, defend the collective interests of workers in Enugu State, and strengthen unity among affiliated unions, describing labour solidarity as “the strongest weapon of the working class.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the National President of TUC, Comrade Shehu Mohammed — who also serves as President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and TUC National Deputy President 1 — commended the Enugu State Council for conducting a peaceful and credible conference.
According to him, “Enugu has once again demonstrated that internal democracy is alive within the Trade Union Congress and urge the new leadership to remain steadfast in protecting workers while promoting dialogue and industrial harmony.”
Observers noted that the emergence of a new leadership marks a potentially renewed phase in labour–government relations in Enugu State, particularly as workers continue to face rising living costs and economic uncertainties.
The conference ended with a formal leadership handover, group photographs, and renewed assurances that the TUC would remain a strong and principled voice for workers’ rights, equity, and socio-economic justice in the state.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) remains one of the country’s major labour centres, representing senior staff unions across multiple sectors of the Nigerian economy.
