Christmas: NLC urges Nigerians to rise, reclaim their future
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to rise, resist oppression and reclaim their future, as it called for unity, collective action and renewed hope in its 2025 Christmas message.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said the season should inspire workers and citizens to confront hardship and reclaim their power to shape the nation’s future.
In his message, Ajaero extended Christmas greetings to Nigerian workers and citizens, describing the season as one rooted in hope, love and renewal.
He noted that while many Nigerians face severe economic pressure, the season offers an opportunity to reflect and draw strength from shared struggles and collective resilience.
The NLC president acknowledged that life has become increasingly difficult for millions, with economic hardship and policies that deepen suffering.
However, he stressed that hope remains alive, insisting that “no matter how dark the night may seem, there is always a flicker of light,” which must be nurtured through unity and action.
Ajaero said the hope of national recovery must be driven by organised collective action, not passive optimism.
He described Nigerian workers, farmers, traders, teachers and professionals as the true builders of the nation, stressing that their strength lies in unity, organisation and the courage to act together for national renewal.
He warned against divisions along ethnic, religious or regional lines, describing them as tools used to weaken the people. According to him, Nigerians must form a united and disciplined movement committed to justice, equity and a society that serves the many rather than a privileged few.
“As we gather with our families and communities to mark the 2025 Christmas and festive season, we at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) extends our very warm fraternal greetings and wishes of peace, joy, and rejuvenation to each and every one of you; the Nigerian workers and masses.
“This season, rooted in hope, love, and the promise of a new dawn, speaks deeply to our current national reality. A reality that may seem to overwhelm us with the unrelenting assault on our various pillars of survival as workers and citizens but for which fortunately, presents an opportunity.
“We acknowledge that for millions of our members and compatriots, life and living have been profoundly challenging if not completely unbearable. The weight of economic hardship, policies that inflict suffering, and forces that press our nation into the morass of servitude and hardship can make the present seem bleak.
Yet, the eternal message of this season is one of hope emerging from hardship. It is that which speaks to the fact that no matter how dark the night may seem, there is always a flicker of light. A dot of light glowing in our hearts, in our bodies and in our voices.
“Our hope of a revival is not passive and it is not a mere wish. It is built on a concrete foundation: our collective power and the action that it can potentiate. We are the many; the workers, the farmers, the traders, the teachers, the nurses, the builders of our nation. Our hope rests on our capacity to unite, to organise, and to deploy our numbers as a force for our own rescue and the redemption of our beloved country.” Ajaero said
The NLC president stressed that self-love and dignity are essential foundations for resistance, noting that workers must protect their wages, pensions and rights. He said confronting corruption, exploitation, insecurity and bad governance remains the most meaningful way to celebrate the season and secure a better future.
Ajaero also called for tax justice, insisting that any tax system imposed without workers’ input is unjust. He warned against laws shaped by distortion or manipulation, adding that Nigeria needs fair, transparent and people-centred fiscal policies that protect citizens from further hardship.
He further demanded social justice, equitable wages, quality healthcare, accessible education and a safe environment where citizens can live and work without fear. According to him, a secure and just society remains central to national stability and shared prosperity.
Reaffirming the strength of organised labour, Ajaero said the power of workers lies in unity and numbers, stressing that division only enables exploitation. He urged Nigerians to use the festive season to recommit to organising at community and workplace levels in defence of their collective interests.
He however, called on Nigerians to enter 2026 with renewed determination, unity and resolve, expressing confidence that through collective action, the country can overcome its challenges and build the Nigeria of its dreams.
“Nigeria Labour Congress assures you that we are the many and our power is inherent in our numbers and our solidarity. Only when we mobilise these numbers can we successfully resist policies that afflict us with suffering and pain. It neither pays us nor protects us when we allow them use us to call ourselves names in other to continue dividing us so that we cannot speak with one voice and stop the exploitation.
“Let this festive period be a time of re-dedication to this cause. It is a time to organize more beginning from wherever we are in our communities and in our various locations. Let us be sensitive to the fact that it is only our own collective action that can guarantee the hope that we have for our dear nation. No one else can!
“May the hope of Christmas inspire us. May the promise of a new year energise our resolve. Let us move into 2026 with a renewed commitment to unity, organisation, and collective action. Together, we will build the Nigeria of our dreams.” He said.
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