Trade unions are set up to protect, defend and promote the rights of the working class population. These unions serve as the mouthpiece of members within a profession or industry. In Nigeria, numerous trade unions exist for various professions, but they are under two major trade unions. These are the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC). In this article, we’ll discuss the two major trade unions in Nigeria and outlines the numerous other professional (or trade) unions that are affiliated with each of them. Continue to read on to find out.
The types of trade unions in Nigeria would be discussed below:
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Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)
In 1978, four different organizations merged to form the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)It is one of the two major trade unions which all other trade unions in Nigeria fall under. The objective of the NLC is to protect, defend, and promotes the rights, well-being and interest of the working class in Nigeria. With over 40 affiliate unions with a combined membership of 4 million working professionals, NLC holds the title of the largest trade union in Africa. Mr. Wahab Goodluck was the founding president of the NLC. Hassan Sunmonu, Ali Chiroma, Pascal Bafya, Adams Oshiomole, and Abdulwaheed Omar are among the past presidents of the NLC.
Presently, Ayuba Wabba is the president of NLC, assuming the position in 2005.
Below are the unions affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress:
- Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ASUP
- Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions ASURI
- Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
- Agricultural and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN)
- Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE)
- Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU)
- Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN)
- Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN)
- Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN)
- Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN)
- Metal Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (MEPROSSAN)
- National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT)
- National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM)
- National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE)
- National Union of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution Employees (NUBIFIE)
- National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Employees (NUCFRLANMPE)
- National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture, and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW)
- National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE)
- National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE)
- National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers (NUHPSW)
- National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees (NULAE)
- National Union of Postal and Telecommunication Employees (NUPTE)
- National Union of Printing, Publishing, and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW)
- National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
- National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees (NUSDE)
- National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN)
- Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU )
- Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
- Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE)
- Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW)
- Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP)
- Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG)
- Nigeria Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRSDAW)
- Nigeria Union of Railwaymen (NUR)
- Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT)
- Nigeria Welders’ and Filters’ Association (NIWELFU)
- Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU)
- Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN)
- Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU)
- Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP)
- Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU)
- Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN)
- Steel and Engineering Workers’ Union of Nigeria (SEWUN)
- Trade Union Congress (TUC)
On August 8, 2005, Trade Union Congress (TUC) was registered as a labour centre. Trade Union Congress is one of the two major trade union coalitions in Nigeria that serve as umbrella bodies to numerous other unions in the country. TUC seeks to enhance the quality of life of working population, improve their income, as well as ensuring all workers of affiliated unions are united, regardless of political leanings, gender, state of origin, and creed. to TUC is an affiliate of the international Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC). Presently, there are 32 unions affiliated with the Trade Union Congress. Mr. Festus Osifo is the current president of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
Below is the list of affiliated unions with the Trade Union Congress (TUC):
- Anacowa Motor Cycle Owners & Riders Association
- Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS)
- Association of Freight and Heavy Goods Carriers of Nigeria (AFHGCN)
- Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN)
- Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI)
- Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN)
- Automobile Boatyard, Transport, Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (AUTOBATE)
- Chemical and Non-metallic Products Senior Staff Association (CANMPSSA)
- Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB)
- Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA)
- Footwear, Leather and Rubber Products Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (FWLRPSSA)
- Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (HAPSSSA)
- Nigeria Merchant Navy Officer And Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNOWTSSA)
- Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professions (NUAHP), (Formerly NUPMTPAM)
- Petroleum And Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)
- Precision Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA)
- Pulp, Paper and Paper Products, Printing and Publishing Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PPAPPPPSSA)
- Shop And Distributive Trade Senior Staff Association (SHOPDIS)
- Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations Government Owned Companies (SSASSCGOC) (Formerly Known as SSACTAC)
- Senior Staff Association Of Universities, Teaching Hospital, Research, and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI)
- Textile, Garments and Tailoring Senior Staff Association Of Nigeria (TGTSSAN)
- Senior Staff Association Of Shipping, Clearing And Forwarding Agencies (SSASCFA)
- Senior Staff Association Of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSEA&AC)
- National Association Of Nigerian Professional Footballers (NANPF)
- Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN)
- National Association of Community Health Practitioners (NACHPN)
- Union of Tipper & Quarry Employers Of Nigeria (UTQEN)
- National Towing Vehicle Owners Association (NTVOA)
- Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN)
- Professional E-hailing Drivers and Private Owners Association(PEDPA)
- Association of Erectors, Riggers and Scaffolders of Nigeria (AERSON)
- Ifesowapo National Tipper and Ajeboro Transport Association of Nigeria (ILASTATA)