NLC Raises Alarm Over SDGs Setback, Labour Rights Violations

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that Nigeria’s journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is at risk due to deep-rooted systemic failures, repression of labour rights, and the absence of social dialogue.

Speaking during the NLC and Youth Organisations Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Nigeria’s SDG Progress, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the NLC head of information and public affairs, Comrade Benson Upah, highlighted the widening gap between policy promises and implementation realities.

Upah warned that unless key governance and labour issues are addressed, sustainable development in Nigeria will remain a mirage.

“This platform is not just for tracking SDG progress, but to amplify the voices of working people across Nigeria, we are concerned by critical gaps highlighted in the new shadow report. These gaps represent systemic issues that hinder inclusive development”, he said.

The NLC’s address pointed to a litany of challenges affecting Nigeria’s SDG implementation, ranging from shrinking democratic space and insecurity, to the criminalisation of trade union activities and interference in labour matters.

“Nigeria was ranked as the worst place for conducting trade union activities in Africa—second only to Syria, that should worry everyone.

Unpopular economic policies and a hostile operating environment are driving mass corporate exits and rising unemployment”, Upah stated.

He expressed concern over the lack of vibrant social dialogue mechanisms, particularly the inactivity of institutions like the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC), which is supposed to be a forum for government, labour and employers to engage.

The NLC’s intervention focused on five key SDGs—SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 17 (Partnerships).

The congress stressed the need for universal social protection, formalisation of informal labour, and institutionalised social dialogue.

Comrade Upah further urged the office of the senior special assistant to the president on SDGs to adopt a more proactive and inclusive approach to stakeholder engagement, while calling for progressive financing and transparent implementation of SDG programmes.

“We must address the conflict of interest at the international level where the values of global institutions are missing among the downtrodden, there must be global policy coherence and accountability to achieve Agenda 2030.” he added.

He also cautioned international actors against prematurely endorsing flawed electoral outcomes, warning that such actions erode faith in democratic institutions.

The NLC acknowledged the efforts of the United Nations resident coordinators office, and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) for their role in advancing labour-focused contributions to the SDG discourse.