The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged nationwide protests yesterday to demand urgent federal government action to tackle the worsening insecurity across the country. Labour leaders insisted that those funding insecurity must be arrested and prosecuted, and called for the protection of workers, communities, and public confidence.

In Abuja, heavy security prevented protesters from advancing beyond the Ministry of Finance. NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero and top leaders held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu to discuss security, strikes in the tertiary and health sectors, and workers’ welfare. President Tinubu pledged to engage with labour through the National Administrative Council (NAC) in January to address outstanding issues.

The protests, held simultaneously in Lagos, Kebbi, Osun, Kano, Enugu, Delta, Abia, and Sokoto, were supported by civil society groups and activists, including Femi Falana, SAN, and Omoyele Sowore. In Lagos, Falana urged the government to equip security personnel adequately and prosecute 400 alleged terrorism financiers previously arrested but not tried. He also emphasized addressing fiscal and social security challenges to reduce insecurity.

Labour highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity: since 2009, over 2,295 teachers have been killed, 19,000 displaced, and more than 910 schools destroyed in the North-East. Health facilities were also heavily affected, worsening access to healthcare. Labour blamed socio-economic injustice, widening inequality, corruption, and poor funding of education and health sectors for fueling insecurity.

State governments receiving protesters acknowledged security challenges and assured that efforts were being made to protect lives and property. In Delta, Abia, and Sokoto, NLC leaders stressed the urgency of federal intervention to restore safety, protect livelihoods, and prevent further humanitarian and economic crises.

The protests underscored labour’s call for sustained dialogue with government while warning that inaction on insecurity would deepen the country’s ongoing crisis.