The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will convene a meeting today (Monday) to review its seven-day strike notice to the Federal Government, which is set to expire on Thursday, August 28.
Naija News reports that the ultimatum, issued last week, demanded the refund of allegedly diverted Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund contributions and the constitution of a board for the National Pension Commission, or risk a nationwide strike.
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association had earlier declared support for the NLC’s demands, warning that “everyone has been pushed to the wall.”
NECA said, “Unfortunately, employers cannot go on strike, but we are deeply invested in ensuring that the right thing is done, simply by respecting the Acts.”
The management of the NSITF has admitted that 50 per cent of workers’ contributions under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme were deducted by the Federal Ministry of Finance.
It, however, disclosed that part of the funds had been refunded, with efforts ongoing to recover the balance.
In a letter dated August 16, 2025, to NLC President Joe Ajaero, NSITF Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, confirmed the deductions were based on a Ministry of Finance circular.
According to him, “You will recall that the Federal Ministry of Finance circular (Ref: FMFCME/OTHERS/IGR/CFR/21/2021) dated December 28, 2023, introduced a policy of automatic deduction of 50% from the internally generated revenue of all Federal Government-owned enterprises.
“The Fund has consistently engaged with the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission, arguing that the circular overlooked the peculiarities of the Employees’ Compensation Act 2010. Within the context of our mandate and obligations to subscribers under the law, such collections should be treated as liabilities rather than revenues.”
The National Administrative Council of the NLC, comprising elected national officers and secretariat staff, is expected to review these developments today and determine whether to proceed with the strike.
An NLC official told Vanguard yesterday, “Yes, members of NAC are meeting on Monday (today) to review developments since the seven-day ultimatum was issued last Thursday.
“We have acknowledged the NSITF managing director’s letter admitting the deductions, noting that some refunds have been made, while discussions continue to recover the balance.”
“We have also taken note of the appointment of the PenCom Board Chairman. Monday’s NAC meeting will review all these issues to decide whether they are enough to suspend the ultimatum or not. That is essentially why NAC is meeting.”
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