By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns that illicit financial flows and kleptocracy are weakening Nigeria’s ability to finance and implement effective social protection programmes across the country.
The warning was issued at the opening of the second phase of a five-day Transform Leadership and Capacity Building Training on social protection in Abuja. The programme, organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is being held under the European Union-funded Supporting Sustainable Social Protection Systems in Nigeria (SUSI) project.
Speaking during the training, the NLC Assistant General Secretary, Comrade Chris Onyeka, stressed that sustainable funding remains the backbone of any functional social protection system. He noted that Nigeria’s efforts to build a robust social safety framework would continue to face setbacks as long as the country loses substantial resources through illicit financial activities and corruption.
Describing the situation as alarming, Onyeka lamented that the continuous outflow of public resources had turned Nigeria into what he called a “leaking basket,” making it increasingly difficult for the government to meet the welfare needs of its citizens.
He called on government officials and other stakeholders participating in the training to collaborate with the labour movement in tackling illicit financial flows and kleptocracy, warning that social protection initiatives would remain ineffective if the nation’s resources continued to be depleted.
“As long as Nigeria is bleeding, social protection will not be implemented effectively in Nigeria,” Onyeka stated.
The labour leader urged participants to place the fight against corruption and financial leakages at the centre of ongoing efforts to strengthen social protection policies and institutions in the country.
He also commended the ILO for investing in the capacity development of trade union members and government officials, describing the training as a critical step towards closing knowledge gaps among policymakers and implementers.
According to Onyeka, social protection goes beyond serving as a safety net, insisting that it is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for social transformation and inclusive development.
