As Nigeria continues to align its climate commitments with global expectations, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has made it known that excluding workers from critical climate policy decisions could derail the country’s just transition ambitions.
At a three-day Post-COP 29 Review meeting held in Abuja, labour leaders, environmental experts, and government officials met to review Nigeria’s climate strategies and the role of workers in future climate actions. Organised by the NLC’s Climate Change, Green Jobs and Just Transition Programme, with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the meeting drew attention to what was described as the “glaring omission” of workers’ voices in national climate discussions.
Speaking during the opening session, Mr. Emmanuel Ugboaja, NLC General Secretary, represented by Assistant General Secretary Mr. Ismali Bello, criticised the current climate policy-making approach and called for urgent inclusion of trade unions, women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
“We cannot decry climate injustice internationally while replicating exclusion at home,” Bello said. He stressed that workers, being on the frontlines of emissions and climate impacts, must be integral to Nigeria’s Just Transition Work Programme (JTWP). “Workers and their communities are not just stakeholders—they are at the epicentre of this transition,” he added.
The call comes at a time when the world is demanding more equitable and participatory climate solutions, and the pressure is mounting for Nigeria to meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) obligations by 2025.
Ms. Inviolata Chinyangarara, ILO’s Senior Specialist on Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), reinforced the message, urging trade unions to sharpen their advocacy skills and adapt to the shifting realities of green economies. “Workers’ voices must shape climate and employment policies. Capacity-building within unions is not optional—it is essential if we want policies that are truly integrated and people-centred,” she said.
Highlighting government efforts, Mr. Girzo Adamu, Director of Special Duties and Projects at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, acknowledged past shortcomings but assured participants that labour concerns were being incorporated. “I can confidently say that Nigeria’s Just Transition Guidelines are about 80% complete, with labour’s inputs now recognised,” he noted.
The workshop also featured insights from climate change consultant Dr. Peter Tarfa, who challenged the NLC to actively engage in the development of Nigeria’s NDC 3.0. According to him, this next version will define the nation’s climate action plan for years to come and will require thorough research, strategic agenda-setting, and solid negotiation frameworks—especially ahead of the upcoming COP meeting in Brazil.
Ecological economist De Wel Bert, who also contributed virtually to the discussions, emphasised the need for trade unions to assert themselves both nationally and internationally. He cautioned that NGOs, often better funded, could dominate the conversation if unions failed to present concrete, actionable proposals.
Bert further pointed to the ongoing global debate around climate finance, underscoring the need for strong public investment with strict criteria for private sector involvement to ensure the creation of decent, sustainable jobs.
Participants at the meeting were divided into working groups focusing on key sectors: Energy, Power, Industry, Transport, Agriculture & Land Use, Water, and Waste. Deliberations fed into the development of a policy paper titled “Towards a Worker’s Friendly & Just Nationally Determined Contribution.”
Chairing the sessions was Comrade Echezona Asuzu, the Focal Person for the Department of Climate Change, whose leadership ensured that every participant’s voice was heard. Known for his passion for climate advocacy, Asuzu steered discussions towards actionable strategies that prioritise both environmental sustainability and social justice.
The Post-COP 29 Review which spanned from 23rd – 25th of April, not only reflected labour’s growing climate activism but also sent a clear message: a just transition must be truly inclusive, or risk leaving the very people it aims to protect behind.
Click here to read related post
