NUCECFWW President Okoro Warns: Unions Must Innovate or Risk Collapse Amid Nigeria’s Economic Hardship
By Glory Mfoniso
President of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW), Comrade Stephen Igho Okoro, says Nigeria’s turbulent economic history in the last four years has made it imperative for trade unions to embrace innovation, digital tools, and sustainable investments to safeguard their future.
Speaking at the union’s 7th National Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Abuja, themed “Building Trade Unions’ Future through Strategic Organising and Investments,” Okoro described the present realities as critical for both employers and employees.
Comrade Stephen Igho Okoro
According to him, “the twin economic policies on the flat fuel subsidy withdrawal and floating of the naira have led to massive devaluation of naira and excruciating inflation rate. It also led to closure of some existing industries, loss of jobs and unbearable hunger across the land; why do we go from here?”
He clarified that the theme of the conference became expedient in view of the dangers confronting industrial unions in hard times.
“Trade unions have historically played a vital role in protecting workers’ rights, securing fair wages and improving workplace conditions of service,” Okoro said.
He stressed that the union must organise and expand its reach by engaging both formal and informal sector workers while adopting “innovative methods, digital tools among others” to secure the union’s future.
Okoro further emphasised the need for investments that guarantee long-term sustainability:
“Trade unions must build sustainable financial models to support their operations and invest in education, training for members, establish union-owned ventures and so on.”
Declaring the conference open, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammadu Dingyadi commended NUCECFWW for its active role in protecting workers’ rights.
Represented by the Director of Trade Union Services and Industrial Relations, Mr Amos Falonipe, Dingyadi described the conference theme as “both timely and visionary”, adding that the construction industry remains a vital engine of economic growth.
“My Ministry is committed to supporting unions through policy reforms, capacity-building programs, and access to labour market data. We are also working to strengthen the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) to help unions plan more effectively amongst other lofty initiatives.”
He also reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to social dialogue and inclusive development in our industrial relations space.
“We recognise trade unions as strategic partners in achieving decent work, industrial peace, and economic resilience. Our collaboration must be rooted in mutual respect, transparency, and shared purpose.”
The Minister assured that government would continue to engage unions on labour law review, occupational safety standards, gender equity, youth employment, and union-led investment initiatives.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, warned that trade unions risk shrinking into irrelevance unless they embrace deliberate organising and long-term investments.
According to him, “In a time like this, our survival should not be by accident. It has to be by deliberate organising and by wise and long-term investments that secure the union’s independence and capacity to continue the struggle.
He added that “The road is not smooth and the one ahead even rougher. We must not be deterred for history has never given the working-class victories without struggles.The future will not be handed to us as Comrades. We must build it with our own heads and hands. In the midst of the present economic hardship, we must take action to save ourselves from hunger and starvation.”
Various speakers at the conference, tagged “Abuja 2025,” made submissions on strategies for repositioning trade unions as engines of decent work, economic justice, and industrial peace.
