The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Emmanuel Ugboaja, has died at the age of 60 after a prolonged illness.
Ugboaja’s death was disclosed on Thursday, while the NLC’s National Executive Council was meeting in Enugu. NLC President, Joe Ajaero, reportedly conveyed the news to members after receiving a letter from the late labour leader’s family.
A veteran trade unionist and lawyer, Ugboaja became the fifth General Secretary of the NLC in August 2019, succeeding Peter Ozo-Eson.
His career in organised labour spanned more than three decades, beginning in 1993 after about four years in private legal practice.
Born on May 15, 1966, he obtained a law degree from the University of Calabar in 1987. He later joined the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, where he rose through the ranks and served as general secretary from 2000 to 2005.
The NLC’s historical account described Ugboaja as the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union. Beyond union activities, he served in civil society and participated in national constitutional reform processes in 2005 and 2014.
Before his appointment as NLC general secretary, Ugboaja was Principal Assistant General Secretary and headed the Congress’ Industrial Relations and Organising department.
His tenure placed him at the centre of several major labour negotiations, including discussions surrounding minimum wage implementation and workers’ welfare.
