Strike: NLC gives FG 7 days ultimatum to return diverted NSITF pension funds

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to return all diverted funds from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and pension contributions, warning of an imminent nationwide strike if its demands are not met.

This was contained in a Communique issued at the end of the Congress Central Working Committee (CWC), and signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.

NLC said the ultimatum also covers the immediate constitution of the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) in full compliance with the law.

“To this end, the CWC-in-session hereby directs: The NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven (7) working days from today.

“The PENCOM Board must be properly constituted in full compliance with the law within seven (7) working days from today.

“The Pension Commission to submit to the NLC full status report of the funds within this same period.

“If at the end of this seven (7) working days, nothing is done, NLC will no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.” The communique reads

The CWC accused the government of “a direct attack on workers’ rights” through the diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as revenue, unlawful control of pension funds, and covert moves to amend the NSITF Act to strip workers of their statutory role in managing the fund.

According to the communique, the labour leaders, during the meeting, reviewed several pressing issues affecting Nigerian workers, including the festering leadership crisis in the Edo State Council of the NLC, the situation in the NSITF, the governance vacuum in PENCOM, and the broader economic conditions in the country.

On the Edo State Council, the CWC ratified the dissolution of the State Administrative Council over what it described as “acts of unethical behaviour, anti-union conduct, and violations of the NLC Constitution,” approving the constitution of a Caretaker Committee to oversee the Council until fresh elections are conducted.

Regarding the NSITF, the CWC said: “We express outrage at the ongoing assault on workers’ social protection rights through the Federal Government’s diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the national coffers as ‘revenue,’ in flagrant violation of the statutes establishing the NSITF.”

The meeting also condemned what it called “false claim of ownership” of the NLC National Headquarters by the new administration, describing it as property owned by Nigerian workers, alongside “resort to cyber and media bullying of the trade unions and leadership coupled with covert moves to amend the NSITF Act” to give government full control over the funds.

On the pension sector, the CWC noted with grave concern the non-constitution of PENCOM’s Governing Board, saying this was in contravention of the PENCOM Act and had left the government in sole control of pension contributions.

“This unlawful vacuum has allowed government to solely superintend over the pension funds, stripping away the statutory tripartite oversight and increasing the risk of mismanagement and political interference,” it warned.

The Congress reiterated that pension funds are “deferred wages, not state revenue,” and demanded the immediate constitution of the PENCOM Board in accordance with the law.

The CWC also lamented the deepening economic crisis marked by inflation, joblessness, hunger, insecurity, and collapse of public services. It warned that unless Nigeria adopts a people-centred development model anchored on living wages, industrial revival, and social protection, “the majority of citizens will remain trapped in poverty while the ruling elite continues in opulence.”