Edo NLC Backs December 17 National Protest Against Insecurity

The Edo State Executive Council (SEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has resolved to mobilise its affiliate unions for the nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, 2025, to demand urgent action against insecurity across the country.

The decision followed the adoption of the communiqué issued by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the NLC on December 4, 2025. The Edo NLC said it would fully comply with the national directive calling for a coordinated protest against what labour leaders described as Nigeria’s worsening security situation.
The meeting also addressed other national labour concerns. The Edo SEC joined the NEC in condemning the ongoing crisis in the tertiary education sector and expressed dissatisfaction with the industrial dispute in the health sector, particularly the ongoing industrial action by the Health and Allied Workers Union (HOHESU).

Details of the resolutions were contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the Edo State NLC Caretaker Committee, Prof. Lewis Monday Igbafen.

According to the statement, the meeting was attended by representatives of 17 affiliate unions of the NLC. Members were extensively briefed on the NEC’s concerns over insecurity, labour disputes in key sectors, and efforts to revive the Labour–Civil Society Coalition (LASCO).

The SEC also received and discussed reports on the state of the Labour Party, issues affecting workers in Edo State, and the outcome of the 2025 NLC Harmattan School, which was held in Abuja between November 23 and 29, 2025.

Commending internal efforts, the SEC praised the Igbafen-led Caretaker Committee for what it described as concrete steps taken to reposition the NLC in Edo State. Consequently, it passed a vote of confidence in the committee.

On the issue of internal harmony, the SEC appealed to the Edo State Government to work collaboratively
In a resolution reached at its meeting held on December 15, 2025, in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the SEC aligned itself with the NEC in criticising the Nigerian state for what it alleged was an inability to effectively address the country’s “hydra-headed security challenges.”

As part of its resolutions, the SEC directed the Edo NLC State Administrative Secretariat (SAC), also known as the Caretaker Committee, to activate the necessary structures to mobilise workers and coordinate the protest within the state.