Emmanuel Ugboaja, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has died at the age of 60 after a prolonged illness.
Ugboaja’s death was announced on Thursday by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the ongoing meeting of the Congress National Executive Council in Enugu, Enugu State. Ajaero reportedly informed members after receiving a letter from Ugboaja’s family confirming his death.
The exact nature of the illness that led to his death was not immediately made public.
Ugboaja was a lawyer and experienced trade unionist who became the NLC General Secretary in August 2019. His appointment was approved by the National Executive Council during a meeting in Kano, where he took over from Peter Ozo-Eson, who had retired from the position.
As general secretary, Ugboaja played a key role in the daily running of the labour centre. His responsibilities included working with affiliate unions, coordinating industrial relations, supporting negotiations with governments and employers, implementing decisions of the Congress and helping organise workers across the country.
His years in office coincided with several major disputes between organised labour and government over workers’ salaries, welfare and economic policies.
One of the major issues he was involved in was the implementation of the N30,000 national minimum wage approved in 2019. Disagreements between the Federal Government and labour unions over the implementation of the wage created tension and brought both sides close to industrial action before an agreement was reached.
Ugboaja continued to take part in discussions and campaigns concerning workers’ pay and welfare in the years that followed.
In April 2026, he signed an NLC directive calling on workers in states that had not fully implemented the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act to join nationwide rallies scheduled for May Day. The move reflected his role in coordinating the labour union’s decisions across the country.
Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja studied Law at the University of Calabar and graduated in 1987. He spent about four years practising as a lawyer before moving into the trade union movement in 1993.
His career in organised labour began with the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees, where he eventually became general secretary between 2000 and 2005.
He later worked as Coordinator of Advocacy and Mobilisation at the Alliance for Credible Elections from 2006 to 2009 before joining the NLC Secretariat in 2009.
Ugboaja was regarded as one of the senior figures involved in labour negotiations and mobilisation in Nigeria. His work at the NLC placed him at the centre of discussions on minimum wage, workers’ rights, economic reforms and other matters affecting Nigerian workers.
His death comes as the labour movement remains engaged with the Federal Government and state authorities over the implementation of the new minimum wage and the effect of economic reforms on workers and households.
The NLC is expected to provide further information on his death and announce arrangements for his burial.