By Victor Ahiuma-Young
The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has mourned the death of its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, describing him as a towering figure whose departure has left a deep void in the Nigerian labour movement.
The NLC National Executive Council NEC, which met in Enugu on Thursday, August 27, 2026, said Ugboaja died in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, after a protracted illness.
According to the NLC, he remained committed to the welfare of Nigerian workers until his final days, despite his health challenges.
The Congress described Ugboaja as an exceptional labour leader, legal mind, strategist and advocate who made significant contributions to workers’ struggles at both national and international levels.
It said his roles at the 2005 National Political Reform Conference and the 2014 National Conference further demonstrated his commitment to social justice and the interests of the downtrodden.
In a communique signed by its President, Joe Ajaero, NLC said, among others, “The NEC received the heartbreaking news of Comrade Ugboaja’s transition from his family. He answered the final call in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, 2026, after a protracted illness which he fought with characteristic stoicism and courage. As a true soldier of the working class, he deflected attention from his personal travail, focusing instead on the burdens of Nigerian workers, even in his final days.
“Comrade Ugboaja was not merely a General Secretary; he was the quintessential ‘General Secretary of General Secretaries.’ He was no ordinary man! An erudite scholar, a passionate advocate, and a cerebral strategist, he brought to the trade union movement an intellect that was as sharp as his legal mind, honed at the University of Calabar.
“He denied himself the comforts and privileges of life to shield the Nigerian worker and the oppressed masses, not just in Nigeria, but throughout the globe. His commitment to international working-class solidarity was a testament to his internationalist conviction.
“In his tenure, Ugboaja was a robust figure at the negotiating table and a rugged presence on the picket line. He was a man of the people, serving as a delegate at the National Political Reform Conference in 2005 and the National Conference in 2014, where he articulated the cause of the downtrodden with unparalleled clarity. He was a brilliant blessing that walked amongst us and a very steady voice.
“The NEC resolves that such a gallant and brilliant leader deserves a fitting rite of passage. Consequently, the leadership of the NLC is currently working in close partnership with the family to ensure he is accorded the dignity and honour he so richly deserves. We will ensure that the labour movement, in all its activities, gives him a farewell that echoes his contributions to the struggle for social justice.
“While we are sorely bereaved, we take solace in the life of service he lived. His legacy endures as a beacon of hope. This is not a funeral; this is a roll call of the living, and though our General has fallen, his spirit will answer ‘Present!’ in our ongoing struggle for equity and fair play in our workplaces. This struggle must continue!”
The NEC extended its heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the entire NLC family, and all affiliated unions.
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