NLC, Steel Ministry Resolve Dispute Over Ex-staff

The Steel Ministry and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have reached a resolution regarding the ongoing legal dispute involving Mr. Victor Effiong Ekpaha, a former staff member of the Metallurgical Training Institute (MTI) in Onitsha. This agreement came after a meeting between the Ministry and the NLC, following a picketing action at the Ministry’s headquarters on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

According to a statement signed by Salamatu F. Jibaniya, Head of Press & Public Relations in the ministry, the dispute revolves around a legal tussle initiated by Mr. Ekpaha, who voluntarily resigned from his position at MTI in 2005. Ekpaha’s case was the subject of a judgment by the National Industrial Court in 2021, which ordered his reinstatement and the payment of his outstanding emoluments.

However, the Ministry has expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision and has appealed the ruling.

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The NLC, responding to a call from Ekpaha, staged a picket at the Ministry’s headquarters in a bid to enforce the court’s judgment. However, after a detailed explanation by Dr. Chris Osa Isokpunwu, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, a truce was reached. Dr. Isokpunwu clarified that the Ministry had accepted Mr. Ekpaha’s resignation in 2005, following his voluntary withdrawal due to unpaid salaries. Despite this, Ekpaha later sought to resume his position and filed the suit, resulting in the 2021 ruling.

During the meeting, it was revealed that, in response to the judgment, the Ministry had made efforts to resolve the issue amicably, including negotiating a settlement of N30 million with Ekpaha. However, Ekpaha rejected this offer, demanding an unsubstantiated sum of over N2 billion, which was deemed unreasonable by the ministry.

Dr. Isokpunwu emphasised that while the ministry disagreed with the judgment, it remained committed to resolving the matter in a fair and amicable manner. In light of the NLC’s intervention and in the spirit of cooperation, the ministry announced the formation of a Joint Committee to further examine the case and facilitate a proper understanding of the issues at hand. Dr. Isokpunwu also encouraged the NLC to collaborate with the committee in the hope of reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution.

The NLC’s picketing was centred around Ekpaha’s individual case, rather than broader workers’ welfare concerns, and it was clarified that the issue was being handled with due consideration. The formation of the Joint Committee marks a step toward resolving the long-standing dispute, with all parties committed to finding a peaceful and fair solution.

The Ministry’s efforts to resolve the matter without prejudice to the NLC’s actions signal a positive turn in what has been a contentious legal battle.