The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced plans for a nationwide protest on Thursday, 17 December 2025, to demand urgent government action on a series of pressing national crises, including escalating insecurity, the deteriorating tertiary education system, the ongoing health sector strike, and concerns over political interference in the Labour Party.

The announcement followed the union’s National Executive Council meeting, held at the NLC Sub-Secretariat in Yaba, Lagos, on Thursday, 4 December 2025.

In the communiqué released after the meeting, the NEC expressed “very serious concern” over the worsening security situation in the country, citing the abduction of 24 girls from a boarding school in Kebbi State on 17 November 2025, during which two staff members were killed.

The NEC condemned the withdrawal of security personnel before the attack, describing it as a “dastardly and criminal action” and warning that “the surge in kidnappings targeting school children in Nigerian schools has reached an alarming level and requires immediate action by the Nigerian government.”

Approximately 139 million people are living in poverty in Nigeria as of 2025, according to the World Bank’s Nigeria Development Update report released in October 2025. This figure represents about 61-62 per cent of Nigeria’s total population, indicating a sharp increase from previous years and highlighting that poverty has deepened despite ongoing economic reforms.

The NLC called on the Federal Government to take immediate steps to protect schools, particularly those in remote or high-risk areas, and demanded a full investigation and prosecution of all individuals responsible for lapses in security.

The NEC also expressed deep concern about the ongoing crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. University infrastructure continues to deteriorate, teaching and research resources remain outdated, and staff allowances are often unpaid.

The NLC criticised the Federal Government’s use of divide-and-rule tactics, which it said undermined unity among unions and stalled negotiations. The union urged the government to halt these strategies and implement a fair and uniform remuneration framework for all categories of university workers, while recognising the peculiarities of different professional groups.

The NEC reviewed the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions, which began on 14 November 2025. The union expressed concern over the withdrawal of nurses from the industrial action and warned that if negotiations with the Federal Government failed, the NLC and all its affiliates would join the strike in full solidarity.

In addition, the NEC directed the revival of the Labour–Civil Society Coalition, originally formed under the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to strengthen collaboration between labour organisations and civil society in addressing national issues.

The union also addressed concerns regarding the Labour Party, noting that it had been hijacked by mercantile interests, particularly through the conduct of members of the Nenadi Usman-led Caretaker Committee.

The NLC resolved to withdraw its members from these committees and to begin building coalitions with political parties whose ideologies align with working-class principles, while continuing to engage with the Labour Party where possible.

The body concluded that the planned mass mobilisation on 17 December 2025 is necessary to draw attention to the failures of the government in addressing insecurity, economic hardship, industrial disputes, and political integrity.

The union reaffirmed its commitment to protecting workers’ rights, improving living and working conditions, and defending Nigerian citizens. It called on all workers and citizens to remain united, steadfast, and resolute in the collective struggle to safeguard national stability and promote socio-economic justice.

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana says Nigeria cannot lead regional efforts against coups without first addressing internal drivers of instability.

He made this position known as West Africa confronts another round of military takeovers.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, the human rights lawyer said Nigeria must confront socioeconomic and political conditions that fuel unrest.

“If we want to have political stability in Nigeria, you must address the crisis of the economy, address poverty, tackle illiteracy, and curb insecurity of lives and property,” he said.

Falana said civic freedoms must be strengthened and warned against treating criticism as a crime.

“You must show that the political space will not shrink as it is now. You have a shrinking of the political space, and that must stop. There must be freedom of expression.

“You cannot be charging people with all manner of offences for expressing their views about the affairs of their country,” he said.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to widen participation.

“More importantly, INEC must open the political space and allow ideological political parties to be registered to challenge the status quo. Right now, INEC is not prepared to open the political space,” he said.

Falana said many citizens are “unhappy” with current policies and argued that democratic leaders in Africa frequently constrain the opposition.

According to him, Nigeria must avoid practices that weaken pluralism.

“Nigeria clearly has its job cut out. If you want to stop coups, you must allow political pluralism in Nigeria.

“You cannot have a situation where the country is moving towards a one-party state, and you want to export democracy. Nigeria has to put its house in order to align with political pluralism” he asserted.

He added that credible elections depend on competitive opposition, saying ruling parties across Africa often render rivals “impotent” through direct or indirect restrictions.

Asked if more coups should be expected, Falana said, “It won’t be the last. I’m familiar with the political terrain. Once you put opposition leaders in jail, send them into exile, or kill them, you cannot have political stability.”

Citing similar trends in Benin Republic, he urged Nigeria to “show leadership in stabilising the region.”

His remarks follow Sunday’s failed coup attempt in Benin, during which soldiers led by Lt. Col. Pascal Tigri seized the state television station in Cotonou and announced President Patrice Talon’s removal.

The uprising was quashed within hours by Nigerian troops and the ECOWAS standby force.

Authorities said several people were killed, at least 14 suspects were arrested, and Tigri remains at large. The plotters cited grievances over security, military promotions and restrictions on political freedoms linked to the 2026 election.

The African Union, United Nations, European Union and ECOWAS condemned the coup.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin Republic.

Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening defence and military cooperation between both countries.

The agreement, announced by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, seeks to deepen collaboration in key security areas, including “military training, intelligence sharing, defence production, and joint operations.”

The minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Ahmed Dan Wudil, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, titled, ‘Nigeria, Saudi Arabia sign five-year defence, military cooperation agreement’.

According to the statement, “the memorundum will remain in force for term of five years and may be renewed for a similar period.”

“The MoU shall enter into force on the date of the last written notification, exchanged between the parties through diplomatic channels.

“The memorundum may be terminated at any time, by giving a written notice to the other party at least three months prior to the intended of termination.”

Wudil described the pact marks a major step in expanding bilateral ties and addressing emerging security threats facing Nigeria and the wider region.

“Dr. Matawalle signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence for Executive Affairs, Dr. Khaleed H. Al-Biyari, signed for the Kingdom,” the statement said.

The Ministry of Defence described the partnership as timely and strategic, saying it aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen security collaboration with global partners.

“This agreement reflects our commitment to strengthening international partnerships for sustainable security development,” the statement noted.

“With this collaboration, we are confident that the current security challenges in some parts of the country will be addressed more effectively.”

The pact is expected to enhance Nigeria’s operational capacity and facilitate joint initiatives and deeper defence cooperation between both nations over the next five years.

It comes at a time when Nigeria confronts heightened surgency and international scrutiny over decades-old killings.

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