NLC Mourns General Secretary Emmanuel Ugboaja, Says Labour Movement Has Lost a Titan
By Dara Kikelomo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced the death of its General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Okechukwu Ugboaja, Esq., mni, describing his passing as a major loss to the Nigerian labour movement and the global trade union community.
Ugboaja died in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, 2026, following a protracted illness, according to a communiqué issued at the end of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, August 27, at Hotel Presidential, Enugu.
The NEC said it received news of his death from his family and expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the veteran labour leader, who it described as a committed defender of workers’ rights and social justice.
According to the NLC, Ugboaja remained dedicated to the interests of Nigerian workers even while battling illness, demonstrating what the Congress described as his characteristic courage and commitment to the working class.
The late General Secretary was widely regarded within the labour movement as an accomplished intellectual, lawyer, strategist and advocate. The NLC described him as the “General Secretary of General Secretaries,” citing his depth of knowledge, negotiating skills and longstanding commitment to workers and oppressed communities.
A law graduate of the University of Calabar, Ugboaja played prominent roles in Nigeria’s labour and national development discourse. He served as a delegate to the National Political Reform Conference in 2005 and the National Conference in 2014, where he represented and articulated issues affecting workers and disadvantaged Nigerians.
The NLC said Ugboaja was equally effective at the negotiating table and on the picket line, describing him as a steady voice and a strong advocate for working-class interests.
Beyond Nigeria, the Congress highlighted his commitment to international working-class solidarity, noting that his advocacy extended beyond the country’s borders.
The NLC said it was working with Ugboaja’s family to ensure that he receives a befitting farewell and that the labour movement would honour his contributions to the struggle for social justice.
While mourning his death, the Congress said his life of service remained a source of inspiration to workers and labour activists, insisting that his passing would not bring an end to the struggle for equity, dignity and fairness in the workplace.
The NEC extended its condolences to Ugboaja’s immediate family, the NLC family and affiliated unions, urging members of the labour movement to remain united and committed to the ideals for which he stood.
“The struggle has indeed lost a titan,” NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said in the communiqué.
He signed the statement issued at the conclusion of the NEC meeting in Enugu.
