The Nigeria Labour Congress says the country is moving in a dangerous direction as workers struggle with heavy taxes, low wages and rising national debt.

According to the union, these pressures go beyond economic hardship. They now threaten Nigeria’s stability and its democratic future.

Because of this, the NLC is asking the federal government to pause the new tax laws and reopen talks with organised labour.

NLC President Joe Ajaero raised these concerns at the book launch and 85th birthday celebration of Hassan Summonu, the founding president of the congress.

He said many government policies are being made without listening to workers and ordinary Nigerians. Yet these same people bear the biggest burden of those decisions.

Workers Shut Out Of Key Decisions

While honouring Summonu, Ajaero said the labour movement was built on a simple idea. People must organise to protect themselves from unfair policies and poor leadership.

He said that message still applies today, especially as living conditions continue to worsen for many Nigerians.

According to him, the event was more than a celebration. It was also a chance to reflect on how far the country has moved away from fairness and economic justice.

Ajaero also questioned Nigeria’s rising debt. He asked where the borrowed money was going and what workers and the wider public were gaining from it.

In his view, decisions on fuel prices, taxes, wages and social services should involve workers’ representatives. Shutting them out, he warned, only fuels anger and distrust.

NLC Pushes Back Against New Tax Laws

On the new tax laws, Ajaero said workers were deliberately excluded from the process. He noted that labour had warned early that this approach would lead to unfair outcomes.

Now, he said, the results are clear. Taxing the national minimum wage and placing heavier burdens on people already living in poverty is unjust.

He urged the government to slow down, review the policies and change direction.

He also called for the proper setup of the National Pension Commission board. In addition, he asked authorities to address public concerns instead of pushing ahead amid confusion.

Ajaero warned that forcing policies through without broad agreement weakens public trust and harms democracy.

He added that lasting progress comes from strong institutions and inclusive decisions, not pressure or intimidation.

The NLC president said the congress would continue to speak out and organise.

He said labour would keep pushing for a Nigeria where workers are not crushed by poverty, insecurity, unfair taxes or a future weighed down by debt.