NLC Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum to FG Over NSITF, PENCOM Mismanagement

By Chinedu Echianu

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government seven working days to return allegedly diverted workers’ funds from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and to constitute the Governing Board of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) in line with the law, warning that failure to comply could trigger nationwide industrial unrest.

In a communiqué issued at the end of its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held on Wednesday, the NLC also ratified the dissolution of the Edo State Council’s State Administrative Council over “acts of unethical behaviour, anti-union conduct, and violations” of the NLC Constitution, appointing a Caretaker Committee to oversee fresh elections.

The CWC condemned the Federal Government’s alleged diversion of 40% of workers’ contributions to the NSITF into national revenue, describing it as a “flagrant violation” of the Fund’s establishing statutes. It also criticised purported attempts to amend the NSITF Act to give the government sole control over the Fund, warning that such moves would “disenfranchise workers” and breach international labour standards.

On PENCOM, the Congress decried the non-constitution of its Governing Board, accusing the government of unlawfully assuming sole oversight of pension funds and exposing them to political manipulation. “Pension funds are deferred wages, not state revenue,” the NLC insisted, demanding immediate compliance with statutory provisions.

The labour body also expressed alarm over Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis — citing soaring inflation, mass unemployment, rising hunger, insecurity, and failing public services — and called for a people-centred development model anchored on living wages, industrial revival, and public ownership of strategic sectors.

The communiqué set out clear directives such as:

NSITF must account for and return all diverted funds within seven working days.

PENCOM’s Governing Board must be constituted within the same timeframe.

The Pension Commission must submit a full status report of pension funds to the NLC.

Failure to meet these demands, the NLC warned, would mean it could “no longer guarantee industrial peace in the sector.”

Signed by NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero, the communique reaffirmed the Congress’s commitment to defending workers’ rights, resources, and the principles of internal democracy and accountability within the labour movement.