By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has formally petitioned the Credentials Committee of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), accusing the Federal Government of repeatedly failing to sponsor duly nominated workers’ delegates to the annual International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland.
In a complaint dated June 5, 2026, and signed by the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja in Geneva, Switzerland, the labour centre alleged that the government has persistently neglected its obligation under the ILO framework to fund the participation of workers’ representatives at the conference.
The NLC stated that under Article 3, Paragraph 5 of the ILO Constitution, member states are required to nominate worker delegates in consultation with the most representative trade union organisations.
It noted that ILO rules also require governments to cover the travel and subsistence costs of both worker and employer delegates to ensure effective tripartite representation.
According to the Congress, despite consistently submitting nominations in line with national and ILO procedures, the Federal Government has over the years delayed or withheld funds needed for the travel, accommodation and participation of its designated worker delegates.
The NLC argued that the situation goes beyond administrative lapses, alleging a pattern of disregard for repeated verbal and written assurances from relevant government ministries.
It added that efforts to resolve the matter through engagements with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had yielded no results.
The labour centre urged the Credentials Committee to formally acknowledge what it described as Nigeria’s persistent breach of its constitutional and procedural obligations under the ILO framework.
It also requested the committee to determine that the government’s actions have hindered legitimate worker delegates from taking their seats, thereby rendering Nigeria’s delegation incomplete and non-compliant with tripartite representation requirements.
Furthermore, the NLC called on the committee to direct the Nigerian government to fulfil its obligations by ensuring payment to workers’ delegates for this year’s conference and to include the complaint in its report to the conference plenary.
While reaffirming its commitment to the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and constructive tripartite dialogue, the NLC warned that without intervention, Nigerian workers risk continued exclusion from international discussions aimed at protecting and advancing their rights.
