NLC MOURNS AS GENERAL SECRETARY EMMANUEL UGBOAJA DIES AT 60

The Nigeria Labour Congress has been thrown into mourning following the death of its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, at the age of 60.

Ugboaja, a veteran trade unionist and lawyer, reportedly died after a prolonged illness. News of his death was conveyed to members of the NLC National Executive Council during a meeting in Enugu, with NLC President Joe Ajaero reportedly reading a letter from the late labour leader’s family.

Ugboaja became the fifth General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress in August 2019, succeeding Peter Ozo-Eson. He occupied the position until his death and was responsible for coordinating several key administrative and industrial relations activities within the labour centre.

Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja obtained his law degree from the University of Calabar in 1987. After spending several years in private legal practice, he joined the trade union movement in 1993 and began building a career that would span more than three decades.

He began his union career with the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, where he eventually rose to become General Secretary. He later worked in civil society before joining the NLC Secretariat in 2009.

At the NLC, Ugboaja served as Principal Assistant General Secretary and headed the Industrial Relations and Organising department before his appointment as General Secretary.

During his time as General Secretary, he played a significant role in the day-to-day administration of the labour centre, including negotiations with government and employers, coordination of affiliate unions, workers' mobilisation and implementation of NLC policies.

He was also involved in major labour-government engagements, including discussions surrounding workers' wages, employment conditions and the implementation of the national minimum wage.

Beyond trade union activities, Ugboaja participated in Nigeria's wider political and constitutional reform processes. He served as a delegate to the 2005 Political and Constitutional Reform Conference and also participated in the 2014 National Conference convened under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

His death represents a significant loss to Nigeria's organised labour movement, where he was regarded as one of the experienced administrators and negotiators within the NLC.

The circumstances surrounding his death remained limited at the time of the initial reports, although multiple reports confirmed that he had battled a prolonged illness.

Ugboaja's passing comes at a time when the NLC continues to play a prominent role in national discussions on workers' welfare, wages, employment conditions and economic policies affecting Nigerian workers.