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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly cautioned the National Assembly against any move to transfer labour matters from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Speaking at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review in Lagos, the Chairperson of the Lagos NLC, Mrs. Funmi Sessi, warned that such a change could threaten workers’ rights and national labour standards. The hearing, organised by the Senate, took place simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
Sessi condemned what she described as an orchestrated attempt by some “clandestine interests” in collaboration with certain lawmakers to strip labour matters from the federal government’s legislative authority. She referenced Item 34 of Schedule 1 in the 1999 Constitution, which currently places labour under the Exclusive List.
She noted that transferring labour to the Concurrent List would open the door for state governments to undermine labour rights by weakening or outright ignoring key protections. “It would lead to the erosion of the national minimum wage, which is backed by Nigeria’s ratification of the ILO Convention No. 026 on wage-fixing,” she warned.
According to her, this move would allow some governors — who already disregard several existing labour laws — to further trample on workers’ rights, including banning trade unions. “If this is allowed, it will mark the beginning of slave wages and oppressive labour practices in states,” she declared.
Sessi labelled the proposal an “existential threat” to organised labour and promised that Nigerian workers would resist such “internal colonialism” with all their might. “We’ve defeated this anti-worker agenda in the past, and we’re ready to do so again,” she stated.
Beyond labour-related concerns, Sessi also advocated for comprehensive electoral reforms. She called for the full implementation of the recommendations made by the Justice Uwais-led Electoral Reform Committee, saying Nigeria’s electoral framework was in dire need of an overhaul.
She stressed the importance of depoliticising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure its independence.
In line with the Uwais report, she proposed that INEC’s leadership should be appointed through nominations from professional and civil society blocs — including the Nigerian Bar Association, labour unions, civil society organisations, women and disability groups, political parties, faith-based organisations, and the media.
“The President’s role should be limited to forwarding recommendations from the National Judicial Council to the National Council of State for final approval,” she explained.
Sessi also pushed for the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, which would be responsible for prosecuting electoral crimes and deterring electoral violence. Additionally, she called for INEC to be unbundled into specialised agencies to better manage pre- and post-election matters.
She advocated a transition from the current First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system to proportional representation (PR), and supported the full implementation of electronic and diaspora voting to enhance inclusiveness and credibility.
Addressing broader constitutional issues, Sessi urged lawmakers to make Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution — which contains socio-economic and cultural rights — legally enforceable. “This will help restore people-centered and accountable governance in Nigeria,” she said.
She further demanded gender equity reforms, improved revenue management, strengthened security and oversight institutions, judicial and local government autonomy, better housing, and policies for poverty alleviation and wealth creation. Other issues raised included federal restructuring, pension reforms, state creation, and access to justice.
Responding on behalf of the National Assembly, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele — who represented Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau — assured attendees that their concerns would be thoroughly considered. “We are here to listen and take back the people’s voice to the National Assembly,” he said at the conclusion of the two-day event.
The public hearing also featured submissions from youth groups, students, and women’s organisations, all contributing to the ongoing national conversation on constitutional reform.