The Nigeria Labour Congress has been thrown into mourning following the death of its General Secretary, Emmanuel Okechukwu Ugboaja, at the age of 60.
Ugboaja, a lawyer and veteran trade unionist, reportedly died after a prolonged illness. Details surrounding his death had not been officially disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
His death was announced by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, during the ongoing meeting of the Congress’ National Executive Council in Enugu State on Thursday.
According to reports, Ajaero informed the delegates after reading a letter from Ugboaja’s family notifying the labour leadership of his passing.
Ugboaja was appointed the General Secretary of the NLC in August 2019, becoming the fifth person to occupy the position since the establishment of the labour centre in 1978. He succeeded Peter Ozo-Eson.
Born on May 15, 1966, Ugboaja obtained his law degree from the University of Calabar in 1987 and spent about four years in private legal practice before joining the trade union movement in 1993.
He later rose through the ranks of organised labour, serving as General Secretary of the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees between 2000 and 2005.
Before becoming NLC General Secretary, he served as Principal Assistant General Secretary and headed the Congress’ Industrial Relations and Organising department.
The NLC’s historical biography describes Ugboaja as the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union.
His death marks a major loss to Nigeria’s organised labour movement, where he spent more than three decades contributing to trade union administration, industrial relations and workers’ advocacy.
Further details about his death and funeral arrangements are expected to be released by his family or the NLC.
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