The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Emmanuel Ugboaja, has died at the age of 60 after a prolonged illness.
The circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
Ugboaja’s death was announced by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the ongoing meeting of the Congress National Executive Council in Enugu State.
According to reports, Ajaero read a letter from the deceased’s family informing members of his passing.
A veteran trade unionist and lawyer, Ugboaja became the NLC General Secretary in August 2019 after his appointment was ratified by the Congress’s National Executive Council at a meeting in Kano.
He succeeded Peter Ozo-Eson, who retired from the position.
During his tenure, Ugboaja played a key role in the NLC’s administrative activities, negotiations with government and employers, industrial relations, policy implementation and mobilisation of workers across the country.
His years in office also coincided with several major disputes between organised labour and the government over wages, workers’ welfare and economic policies.
One of his early major responsibilities was his involvement in negotiations over the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government in 2019.
The disagreement over its implementation brought the government and labour unions close to industrial action before an agreement was eventually reached.
Ugboaja continued to participate in subsequent negotiations and campaigns concerning workers’ wages and welfare.
In April 2026, he signed an NLC directive calling on workers in states yet to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to join street rallies during the May Day celebrations.
Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja studied Law at the University of Calabar and graduated in 1987.
He spent about four years in private legal practice before joining the trade union movement in 1993.
According to the NLC’s historical biography, his entry into the labour movement made him the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union.
He began his union career with the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, where he eventually served as General Secretary from 2000 to 2005.
He later worked as Coordinator, Advocacy and Mobilisation, at the Alliance for Credible Elections between 2006 and 2009 before joining the NLC Secretariat in 2009.
Ugboaja’s death comes as organised labour continues to engage the Federal Government and state authorities over minimum wage implementation, workers’ welfare and the effects of economic reforms.
The NLC is expected to provide further details on his death and announce funeral arrangements.
