The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, delivered a forceful call for sweeping reforms across Nigeria’s public sector—chief among them, an upward review of the retirement age for all civil servants.
Speaking to thousands of workers and union members at the International Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square, Abuja Ajaero demanded that the federal government increase the retirement age to 65 years or 40 years of service, aligning it with existing provisions granted to teachers, health professionals, and judges.
“It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants,” Ajaero stated.
He argued that uniform retirement policies would promote fairness, boost morale, retain institutional experience, and enhance efficiency in the public sector. The NLC had previously raised this issue in 2023 and pledged to continue its engagement with President Bola Tinubu to achieve it.
While education sector workers already benefit from this policy thanks to legislation signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari Ajaero condemned what he described as unjust exclusion of core civil servants from similar benefits. He stressed that reforms should not be selective but reflect the contribution of all public sector workers.
Beyond retirement age, Ajaero listed a raft of other demands reflecting deep worker dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s economic direction. He decried the widening income gap between core civil servants and other public employees, urging a comprehensive salary review that mirrors present economic conditions marked by inflation and rising living costs.
Ajaero also raised questions over the fairness of the PAYE tax system, calling for greater transparency and a clearer understanding of what is being taxed. He condemned the Tax Bills pending in the National Assembly, accusing lawmakers of excluding workers from tax policy formulation. According to him, “workers must have a seat at the table” when decisions affecting their income are being made.
The NLC reiterated its opposition to the Electricity Sector Privatisation, arguing that the move has failed to improve service delivery while imposing greater economic hardship on consumers. They called for a complete reversal of the policy, advocating instead for people-focused utility management.
The union also expressed frustration over the non-implementation of a promised reduction in telecommunications tariffs—from 50% to 35%—accusing regulators of favouring corporate profits over public welfare.
On governance, the NLC demanded urgent democratic reforms, including accountability, electoral transparency, and protection of civil liberties. They condemned the shrinking civic space and intimidation of dissenting voices, calling on both federal and state governments to uphold citizens’ rights.
Security also featured prominently in Ajaero’s address. He labelled the ongoing spate of killings across the country as “genocidal” and called for immediate action to end violence and secure workplaces and communities.
The NLC advocated for safe and dignified working environments, the freedom to organise, and protection from harassment by both state actors and employers. It also urged the expansion of the National Labour Advisory Council and more frequent meetings to address emerging issues in the labour market.
In a warning to the Ministry of Labour, the NLC criticized the indiscriminate registration of new unions in sectors already covered by existing ones, saying this practice undermines organised labour and disrupts unity.
Ajaero ended with a strong demand for the immediate settlement of all outstanding pensions, allowances, and gratuities, asserting that retired public servants deserve a dignified retirement. He called for the restoration of gratuity payments, noting the injustice that political office holders enjoy retirement perks after short service, while career public servants are left in neglect.