The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Emmanuel Ugboaja, has died at the age of 60 after a protracted illness.
Ugboaja’s death was announced by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, to members of the Congress’ National Executive Council currently meeting in Enugu State.
Ajaero reportedly read a letter from the deceased’s family to the delegates, while details surrounding Ugboaja’s illness and death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Ugboaja, a lawyer and veteran trade unionist, became the NLC General Secretary in August 2019 after the Congress’ NEC ratified his appointment at a meeting in Kano. He succeeded Peter Ozo-Eson, who retired from the position.
As General Secretary, Ugboaja was responsible for the administrative and strategic operations of the labour centre, coordinating its affiliates, handling industrial relations and negotiations with government and employers, and translating NLC policies into nationwide action.
His tenure coincided with some of the most significant labour disputes and negotiations in recent years, including the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage.
In April 2026, Ugboaja signed an NLC directive calling on workers in states that had yet to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to organise street rallies on May Day, further highlighting his role in coordinating the Congress’ nationwide activities.
Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja studied law at the University of Calabar and graduated in 1987. He spent about four years in private legal practice before joining the trade union movement in 1993.
According to the NLC’s historical biography, he became the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union.
He began his union career with the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, where he served as General Secretary between 2000 and 2005.
Ugboaja later served as Coordinator, Advocacy and Mobilisation, at the Alliance for Credible Elections from 2006 to 2009 before joining the NLC Secretariat in 2009.
He also represented organised labour at the Political/Constitutional Reform Conference convened under former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 and the Constitution Review Conference under former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014.
Before becoming NLC General Secretary, Ugboaja served as Principal Assistant General Secretary and Head of Industrial Relations and Organising, positions that strengthened his experience in labour administration and industrial relations.
