The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Emmanuel Ugboaja, has died at the age of 60 after a prolonged illness.
Ugboaja’s death was announced by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the ongoing meeting of the Congress National Executive Council in Enugu, Enugu State, according to reports by Tribune.
Ajaero reportedly read a letter from Ugboaja’s family informing members of the Congress of his passing. Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
A veteran trade unionist and lawyer, Ugboaja had served as NLC General Secretary since August 2019 after his appointment was ratified by the Congress’s National Executive Council at a meeting in Kano. He succeeded the retiring Peter Ozo-Eson.
In the position, Ugboaja played a central role in coordinating the administrative and strategic affairs of the labour centre, including relations with affiliate unions, industrial relations, negotiations with government and employers, policy implementation and nationwide mobilisation.
His tenure coincided with some of the most consequential engagements between organised labour and successive administrations over wages, workers’ welfare and economic policies.
One of his early major assignments involved negotiations over the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government in 2019. Disagreements over its implementation brought the government and organised labour close to industrial action before an agreement was eventually reached.
Ugboaja remained actively involved in subsequent negotiations and campaigns over workers’ wages and welfare.
As recently as April 2026, he signed an NLC directive directing workers in states yet to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to participate in street rallies on May Day, underscoring his role in translating Congress decisions into nationwide mobilisation.
From Law to Labour Leadership
Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja studied Law at the University of Calabar, graduating in 1987.
He spent about four years in private legal practice before joining the trade union movement in 1993.
According to the NLC’s historical biography, his entry into organised labour made him the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union.
He began his trade union career with the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, an affiliate of the NLC, where he rose to become General Secretary between 2000 and 2005.
Ugboaja subsequently served as Coordinator, Advocacy and Mobilisation, at the Alliance for Credible Elections from 2006 to 2009 before joining the NLC Secretariat in 2009.
His death comes at a critical period for Nigeria’s labour movement, which remains engaged with the Federal Government and state governments over the implementation of the new minimum wage, workers’ welfare and the broader economic effects of ongoing reforms.
The NLC is expected to issue further statements on the death of its General Secretary and announce arrangements for his funeral.
