President Bola Tinubu convened a crucial late-night meeting with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, intensifying efforts to avert a planned nationwide protest against escalating insecurity and economic hardship.
The closed-door session commenced around 11:27 pm on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, drawing significant attention as a last-minute intervention ahead of the NLC’s scheduled mass action on Wednesday, December 17.
Attendees included NLC President Joe Ajaero, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma (Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum), Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. This gathering followed the NLC’s recent National Executive Council declaration of protests over deteriorating security, tertiary education crises, health sector strikes, and alleged political meddling in the Labour Party.
Emerging from the discussions, Joe Ajaero addressed State House correspondents, emphasizing the consultative nature of the engagement without committing to protest suspension. “We came for consultation with the president, and we have finished, so we have to go back to our meeting and then continue tomorrow. By tomorrow you will get the outcome,” Ajaero stated, signaling internal deliberations with governors before a final decision. He added, “Whether I am insisting on or not insisting on the protest, I will communicate to you; it is not an organisation that one person rules. Let’s go back; after a meeting of labour and the governor’s forum, we go back to the drawing board and digest all that Mr President said to us and move forward from there.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma described the parley as a productive dialogue, assuring Nigerians of forthcoming clarity. “Consultation is going on; we were dialoguing. Like he said, at the end of the day, you will know what you are supposed to know and what you want to know,” Uzodimma remarked.
He further noted, “What should Nigerians expect? Of course, we are here to serve the country, both the labour, the government and the governed. We are all working in service to the nation.” The Minister of State for Labour affirmed that the NLC had secured the requested presidential audience, underscoring the meeting’s responsiveness to labour concerns.
The NLC had earlier warned of potential infiltration by “unscrupulous agencies and desperate political hirelings” aiming to disrupt the protests violently, heightening tensions ahead of the Aso Villa talks.
This intervention occurs against a backdrop of nationwide security challenges, including the ongoing captivity of 115 students abducted from a Catholic boarding school in November 2025, which has amplified public demands for decisive government action. As labour leaders reconvene, the nation awaits their announcement on whether the December 17 protests will proceed.
