News
Cost of living: FG, NLC meeting deadlocked, bakers threaten shutdown
A meeting between the Federal Government and organised Labour to stave off the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress deadlocked on Monday night.
The Minister of State Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who hosted the parley in Abuja, could not convince the unions to suspend the strike slated for February 23.
This was as the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria threatened to down tools by February 27, 2024, if the Federal Government failed to implement the agreement it entered into with the association in 2020.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in an interview on Tuesday, sought the understanding of the unions, saying, “We are optimistic Labour will see reason and strike will be averted in the interest of the nation.’’
The NLC and TUC on February 8 issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over the failure of the Bola Tinubu-led government to implement the agreements reached on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit known as petrol.
In a statement signed by the leaders of the two labour unions, Joe Ajaero and Festus Usifo, the organised Labour expressed sadness that despite the passage of time, “The majority of these crucial agreements remain unmet or negligibly addressed, indicating a blatant disregard for the principles of good faith, welfare and rights of Nigerian workers and Nigerians.”
The unions said despite their efforts to ensure industrial peace, the government seemed unperturbed by the mass suffering and hardship across the country.
After the removal of the fuel subsidy by the President on May 29, 2023, the labour unions reached a 16-point agreement with the Federal Government on measures to cushion the pains of the subsidy removal on workers.
N35,000 wage award
Among other things, the government agreed to pay N35,000 to all federal workers beginning from last September pending when a new national minimum wage would be signed into law.
The resolution provided that the wage award would be paid to the federal workers for six months while states were encouraged to extend the same benefit to their workers.
The Federal Government also pledged to make cash transfers to vulnerable Nigerians and provide 100 CNG (compressed natural gas) buses nationwide to ease the high transportation costs.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the NLC Vice President, Hakeem Ambali, insisted that the strike would go on unless the Federal Government addressed “the untold hardship meted on Nigerians by the famous pronunciation that ‘subsidy is gone’ on 29 May.’’
He lamented that the Federal Government had yet to fulfil its part of the agreement with the labour movement.
“The two-week ultimatum stands except the government does the needful and addresses the untold hardship meted on Nigerians by the famous pronunciation that ‘subsidy is gone’ on 29 May.
“We can see pockets of protests across the country. These are very dangerous. So, Labour must rise and offer leadership; Our ultimatum is patriotic,’’ he declared.
Shedding light on what transpired at the meeting with the minister, Ambali, who is also the National President of the National Union of Local Government Employees, in an interview with one of our correspondents, disclosed that the session was called to review the level of implementation of the October agreement.
He stated, “The meeting realised that major parts of the agreement have not been implemented and Labour minister expressed her disappointment that the government had not kept faith with the spirit of the agreements.
“The meeting resolved subsequently that the agreements have not been well implemented and that they (government) still have windows of opportunities to meet to address all these to avert the impending strikes.”
Speaking further, the vice-president noted that the agreement with the Federal Government was time-bound.
He added, “We signed an agreement in October last year that the buses would be ready to ply Nigeria’s road in December last year. We are already in February. I do not think we have seen any bus on the road.
14-day ultimatum
“On the wage award which is N35,000, we also realised that the government has not kept faith with that. They were only able to pay one until we issued an ultimatum for 14 days. We realised that even state governments did not negotiate with their labour unions.
“What they only did was that they started paying N10,000 before the agreement was signed. Some of the governors were part of the meeting back then in October. They would have called the labour unions and negotiated new wages which were not done.”
On the minimum wage negotiation, Ambali noted the NLC declined to meet with the committee as the government was supposed to address the issue.
“For emphasis is the issue of the minimum wage committee. By law, in September 2023, the minimum wage committee should have come into operation, six months after the expiration of the old Minimum Wage Act which was not done.
“The committee was inaugurated about two weeks ago and with the negotiation statute barred because it is expected to have matured by March 31, 2024, when the existing law becomes obsolete.
“Even now, they said the committee was to brief us yesterday (Monday), we said we are not looking for a technical session. That it is a joint committee between Labour and government who is supposed to have briefed us and the committee never met,’’ he explained.
Also speaking with The PUNCH, a top NLC official said the unions scheduled a second meeting with the labour minister.
“The Ministry of Labour of Labour and Employment is just an intervention platform. What the ministry is doing is to come in and say they would arrange the meeting, but it is not in any position to make an offer,’’ the labor leader clarified.
Addressing the Second National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum organised by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association in Abuja on Tuesday, the NLC President, Ajaero, pointed out that the government’s failure to implement agreements was the primary reason for the lack of positive outcomes in social dialogues.
This was as he advocated a yearly review of workers’ minimum wages to survive the biting economic hardship occasioned by the policy stance of the government.
The event themed, ‘Strengthening Tripartism and Social Dialogue (including Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms) for a sustainable industrial relation system in Nigeria,’ serves as a platform for social partners and stakeholders to promote fair and just resolution of labour disputes, foster harmonious employer-employee relations.
Ajaero bemoaned the ‘promise and fail’ tactics employed by government officials to inflict pain on Nigerians.
He lamented that eight months after the fuel subsidy removal, the government had yet to fulfil any of the 16-point agreement signed with the labour unions in October last year.
He said, “I have heard a lot about the minimum wage coming on board and it is crucial. We have been paying lip service to the issue of tripartism. Yesterday, we had a meeting and part of the agreement was talking about social dialogue.’’
Responding to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who urged the NLC to embrace tripartism, and social dialogue, Ajaero said, “If tripartism produces an agreement and that agreement is not implemented, what is the essence of having such dialogue?
“Last October, we had a 16-point agreement with the government but up till today, none has been implemented. So, if you call me for social dialogue again, do you think I would answer you?
“It is a problem and becoming a mantra but we must internalise it so that Nigerians will know that you are serious.”
Continuing, Ajaero called for an amendment to the minimum wage law that stipulates a once-in-five-year negotiation.
Minimum wage
“People have been coming up to say if the government increases salaries, it would affect inflation and then you keep salaries constant while other variables continue to go up. The wage award for N35,000 has not been paid and workers are being owed salaries.’’
“It took the government 24 hours to say that the subsidy is gone but it is taking eight months to decide what to do with it and then you are saying we should give more time.
‘’No CNG buses on the road and then labour unions are termed as trouble-makers. Even states are not paying the wage award,’’ he complained.
Earlier in his address, Akume assured the participants that the president was passionate about rebuilding the economy and improving workers’ welfare.
He stressed that open dialogue, constructive engagement, and exploration of innovative solutions are the delicate process of determining a minimum wage that is fair, sustainable, and beneficial for all stakeholders.
Akume, represented by the Cabinet Affairs Official, Richard Pheelangwah, said, “I urge the NLC to embrace tripartism and social dialogue by recognizing the fact that collaboration and mutual understanding between government and labour unions.
“Each party must actively listen to the concerns and perspectives of the others, fostering a spirit of compromise and cooperation. While striving for a living wage for Nigerian workers, we must acknowledge the nation’s economic challenges.’’
The SGF warned that “Finding a sustainable equilibrium that protects workers’ well-being without jeopardizing business viability and overall economic health is crucial.’’
He also asked the labour unions to recognise the fact that collaboration and mutual understanding between government, employers, and labour unions are paramount.
“Each party must actively listen to the concerns and perspectives of the others, fostering a spirit of compromise and cooperation,’’ he further advised.
He admonished the labour leaders to embrace alternative mechanisms like mediation and arbitration to expedite resolutions, minimize disruptions, and foster trust among stakeholders, noting that the traditional methods may not always yield the desired outcomes.
In actualising their demands, Akume asked the unions to consider “wider public service obligations discharged by the government to cushion economic hardships, beyond the minimum wage.’’
These, he said, included increased investment in infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and power plants which according to him, had helped to create jobs and boost economic activity; investment in gas-powered public transportation systems, railways and waterways; and expansion and strengthening of social safety nets, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer programme.
Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has approved fresh appointments in the state.
The new appointees include Special Advisers (SPAs) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs).
This was announced on Wednesday through a public notice signed by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the Enugu State Government
Full List Below:
1. Hon. Chukwudi Ezinwa — Special Adviser on Labour Union and Association Matters
2. Hon. Sunday Nnamani (Orlando) — Special Adviser on Special Duties
3. Mr. Williams Chukwu — Special Adviser on Agriculture
4. Prince Afam Agana — Special Adviser on Infrastructure Compliance
5. Humphrey Onyima — Special Adviser on Investment Strategy and Public Relations
6. Hon. Tony Ugwu — Special Adviser on Rural Development
7. Chief Ernest Nweze — Special Adviser on Party Coordination and Mobilisation
8. Hon. Emeka Onunze — Special Adviser on Monitoring and Evaluation
9. Mr. Robinson Odo (mni) — Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity
10. Pastor Kenneth Asogwa (Ebube Muonso) — Senior Special Assistant on Heritage and Community Relations
11. Pastor Tochukwu Ogbodo — Senior Special Assistant on Social Engagement
12. Barr. Lucky Chukwu — Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs
13. Belonwu Nnaji — Senior Special Assistant on Cultural Orientation
14. Hon. Steve Odo — Senior Special Assistant on Tourism
15. Hon. Francis Ikewette Ede — Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication
16. Mr. Sunny Okafor — Senior Special Assistant on General Duties
17. Hon. Chinedu Okwu Otaka — Senior Special Assistant on Social Orientation and Mobilisation
18. Otaba Cosmas Ikechukwu — Senior Special Assistant on Protection of Public Utilities
19. Pius Okeagu — Senior Special Assistant on Assets Management
20. Rt. Hon. Innocent Emeka Ugwu — Senior Special Assistant on Inter-Party Affairs
21. Mrs. Eucharia Offor — Senior Special Assistant on Human Resource Management
22. Mr. Kenneth Oforma — Senior Special Assistant on Policy and Communication
23. Kelvin Ede — Senior Special Assistant on Research and Strategy
The appointments take effect immediately.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku climbs another rung on the golden-floor ladder of life on August 19, 2026, marking 51 years of a life defined by purpose, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the Niger Delta region.
Born in Ayakoro, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, his journey from the creeks and crowded neighbourhoods of the region to the helm of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is more than a personal story. It is a living expression of what he has described as “Rewind to Rebirth”: the deliberate act of learning from the past to rebuild a stronger, more hopeful future.
Dr Ogbuku’s early years were shaped by the realities of the Niger Delta. He attended public schools in Port Harcourt before earning a Bachelor’s degree in Political and Administrative Studies from the University of Port Harcourt. Further studies led to a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Development Studies.
Alongside academic excellence, he cut his teeth as a student activist and later served as Public Relations Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council (Central Zone). Those formative experiences instilled in him a deep understanding of the region’s struggles and a firm belief that dialogue, education, and opportunity remain the most effective paths to lasting peace. His career has been a steady progression of service. He worked as a Personal Assistant in the Ministry of Petroleum, served as Chief of Staff in the Bayelsa State Government House, managed agricultural enterprises, and later acted as Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs.
In 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed him Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC. He inherited an agency long criticised for inefficiency and uncompleted projects. Under his leadership, the Commission has shifted from what he terms a “transactional” approach to a “transformational” one.
The results are visible across the region. Thousands of kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated. Bridges and jetties have improved connectivity. Health centres have been built and equipped, while free healthcare outreaches have brought medical services to thousands.
The “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative has extended electricity to communities long left in darkness. Scholarships have opened doors for young people, with many achieving distinction both at home and abroad. These interventions reflect a consistent philosophy: development must be felt by ordinary people in their daily lives.
At the heart of this work lies the “Rewind to Rebirth” agenda, articulated in his writings, including Rethinking the Niger Delta. It is a call to examine past mistakes honestly, discard what has not worked, and rebuild institutions, infrastructure, and trust with clearer purpose.
For Dr. Ogbuku, turning 51 is not merely a personal milestone. It is another opportunity to reaffirm that the Niger Delta’s future can be brighter than its past if leadership remains focused on results, accountability, and the people.As communities, colleagues, and well-wishers celebrate this birthday, the most fitting tribute is continued support for the unfinished work of regional transformation. Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s 51 years remind us that purpose, when rooted in service, has the power to rewrite the story of an entire region one project, one community, and one generation at a time.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The Mission Continues!!!
Jim George Willy Ibimina
Writes from Niger Delta.
News
Transformative Path Born in Ayakoro, Built for Impact: The Leadership Legacy of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku
In the quiet riverine community of Ayakoro in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, a dynamic leader was born on August 19, 1975, who would one day help reshape the fortunes of the entire Niger Delta. That Leader is Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. Today, as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom (Daufa VI), his journey from the creeks of Bayelsa to the centre of regional development stands as one of the most compelling stories of service and impact in contemporary Nigeria.
Roots in Ayakoro
Dr. Ogbuku’s early years were shaped by the realities of the Niger Delta region: its beauty, its struggles, and its unfulfilled promises. Though he spent much of his childhood in Port Harcourt, regular visits home to Ayakoro left a lasting impression. The underdevelopment he witnessed in his ancestral community planted a quiet determination: if opportunity ever came, he would use it to change the lives of his people.
He began his formal education at Christ the King School, Oromenike, Port Harcourt, obtaining his First School Leaving Certificate in 1987. He proceeded to Government Secondary School, Borokiri, before gaining admission into the University of Port Harcourt. There he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political and Administrative Studies in 2000. He later obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology, Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, a Master’s degree, and finally a Doctor of Philosophy in Political and Administrative Studies and Development Studies in 2021. Education, for him, was never merely personal advancement; it was preparation for service.
From Activism to Administration
As a young man, Ogbuku was deeply involved in the Niger Delta struggle. He served as Public Relations Officer of the Ijaw Youth Council (Central Zone) and cut his teeth in student activism. Those early years taught him the language of agitation, but also the limits of confrontation. He gradually moved into structured public service.
Between 2005 and 2007 he worked as Personal Assistant to the Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Petroleum. From 2007 to 2012 he served as Chief of Staff at the Bayelsa State Government House, at the time one of the youngest people to hold that position in Nigeria. He later managed Fulfilled Farms Nigeria Limited, deepening his interest in agriculture and aquaculture, before serving as Senior Special Assistant on Niger Delta Affairs to the Deputy President of the Senate. These roles gave him practical experience in governance, crisis management, personnel administration, and the complex politics of the oil-producing region.
He had the rare privilege of being appointed twice as MD/CEO of the NDDC by two Nigerian Presidents; first by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2022, and again by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in August 2023 for a fresh four-year tenure.
Ogbuku arrived at the NDDC with both institutional knowledge and lived experience of the challenges he was expected to solve.
Transforming the NDDC
The NDDC Ogbuku inherited carried a heavy burden of unfinished projects, public scepticism, and institutional turbulence. He responded with a clear philosophy: move the Commission from “transaction to transformation.” The focus shifted decisively toward completing legacy projects, improving transparency, and delivering visible results.
Under his leadership, the Commission has made measurable progress in infrastructure. Thousands of kilometres of roads have been constructed or rehabilitated, dozens of bridges and jetties completed, and major connecting projects such as the Ogbia-Nembe Road, the Ibeno Bridge, and the Kaa-Ataba Bridge advanced or delivered. Electrification initiatives, including the “Lighting Up the Niger Delta” programme, have brought power to communities that had lived for years in darkness.
In healthcare, the NDDC constructed and equipped numerous health centres and revived free medical outreach programmes that have provided tens of thousands of patients with care, including thousands of surgeries. Education and youth empowerment received renewed attention through expanded scholarship schemes, school rehabilitation, and skills programmes designed to give young people alternatives to restiveness.
King Ogbuku has also emphasised institutional reform, working with professional partners to strengthen governance systems and prioritise accountability. His administration secured significant budgetary support and focused resources on completing abandoned projects rather than endlessly initiating new ones.
Returning Home as Traditional Ruler
In June 2026, Dr. Ogbuku was installed as Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro Kingdom with the title Daufa VI, succeeding the late monarch after serving as Deputy Paramount Ruler. The dual role technocrat by day and traditional father by night reflects the depth of his connection to his roots. He has pledged to lead with humility, promote peace and unity, and work with stakeholders for the sustained progress of Ayakoro and the wider region.
A Living Legacy
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s story is still being written. At just over fifty, he continues to occupy one of the most demanding development positions in Nigeria while simultaneously carrying traditional responsibilities in his hometown. What distinguishes his trajectory is consistency of purpose: a young man from Ayakoro who never lost sight of the community that raised him, and who has used every platform activism, government, private enterprise, and now the NDDC to push for tangible change.
Conclusion
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s journey from Ayakoro to the leadership of the NDDC shows that true impact begins with a deep love for one’s people. Through hard work, focus, and a clear vision, he continues to turn challenges into progress for the Niger Delta. His legacy is still growing, but the difference he is making is already being felt in communities across the region.
From the mangrove creeks of Bayelsa to the boardrooms of regional development, his path illustrates a simple but powerful idea: impact is possible when knowledge, experience, and genuine attachment to place are combined with the courage to confront difficult institutions. In the Niger Delta, that combination is already producing results that communities can see and feel.
Martins Ibigomie Ogolo
Public Affairs Analyst
martins.ogolo@yahoo.com
The member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has flagged-off the completion of the 1.3-kilometre Ndafufa-Ugwuaji–Obeagu Link Road to further open up Enugu metropolis.
The project is part of a phased intervention aimed at improving road connectivity and opening up communities within the constituency.
The first phase covered the Ayo Open Space–Ndafufa Ugwuaji, while this second phase will cover Ndafufa Ugwuaji – Obeagu link road. The third phase is expected to extend to the Obeagu–Obinagu–Obeagu Amechi link road.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Tuesday, Hon. Atu emphasised the critical role of road infrastructure in driving economic growth, enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of life of residents.
He explained that the third phase of the project would capture adjoining communities, including Obinagu and Amechi, further expanding the network of accessible roads across the area.
According to him, it is another milestone in the drive towards infrastructure development in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency.
Responding, the President-General of the Obeagu Ugwuaji Town Union, Chief Freedom Obi, expressed the community’s excitement over the project, describing the intervention as significant to the development of the area.
Obi also commended Atu for the quality of work executed during the first phase.
Speaking on the technical specifications and timeline of the project, Engr. Ikechukwu Okorie of Ideas Construction Limited, assured that the earthworks and double-drainage system would be completed before November 2026.
Okorie, who is the engineer in-charge of the project, said: “The road is designed with a standard width of 7.5 metres (in-to-in).
“It will have a dual-drainage system to facilitate effective water flow, protect the road and enhance its durability.”
The completion of the project is expected to strengthen connectivity between Ugwuaji, Obeagu and neighbouring communities, while facilitating the movement of people, goods and services and stimulating economic activities within the area.
By Chinedu Sabastine
ENUGU — The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has called for a shift from confrontational labour relations to strategic collaboration between organised labour and government.
The National President of the association, Comrade Shehu Mohammed, made the call at the South East Zonal Workshop of ASCSN in Enugu, where public sector stakeholders, union executives and government representatives examined emerging challenges in industrial relations and public service efficiency.
Mohammed said the workshop marked a turning point in the history of labour relations in Nigeria, stressing that modern public administration required dialogue, data-driven advocacy, collective bargaining and mutual respect.
According to him, “true progress for the Nigerian worker is no longer achieved solely on the streets through friction, but at the round table through data-driven advocacy, mutual respect, collective bargaining and strategic alignment.”
He identified three key pillars for effective labour-government collaboration: supporting a robust public service capable of funding workers’ welfare, engaging government early before disputes escalate, and equipping workers with modern administrative and negotiation skills.
The ASCSN president urged participants to approach management disputes with institutional solutions rather than immediate ultimatums, saying negotiation should produce outcomes that benefit both government and civil servants.
He commended Governor Peter Mbah for what he described as transformational leadership in Enugu State, particularly his efforts to transition the state from a public-sector-driven economy to a private-sector-driven one.
Also speaking, the Enugu State Head of Service, Dr. Godwin Chinonso Anigbo, said the civil service remained the bedrock of governance, given its critical role in policy formulation and implementation.
Anigbo said changing times required both labour and government to abandon win-lose approaches and embrace solutions that would serve the interests of all parties.
He urged organised labour to move beyond reliance on strike ultimatums, while advising government to avoid what he described as “judicial ambushes” in industrial courts as a means of frustrating legitimate union demands.
The Head of Service disclosed that the Enugu State Government had established a Public Service Training Institute to promote policy research and build institutional capacity.
He also challenged civil servants to take ownership of government policies and their implementation, warning against the traditional mindset that “Soldier go, soldier come, barrack remains.”
According to him, “if governance fails, both the policymakers and implementers have failed.”
In a goodwill message, Mrs. Ndidiamaka Oke, who represented the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Enugu State, said collaboration remained the most effective approach to resolving contemporary challenges in the public service.
She said, “Collaboration does not mean abandoning your legitimate rights. Collaboration rather means giving workers opportunity for constructive dialogue.”
Oke stressed that constructive dialogue would enable labour and government to resolve disputes while strengthening industrial harmony and improving public service delivery.
She commended ASCSN for providing an intellectual platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, experiences and practical solutions, expressing confidence that the workshop’s outcome would deepen cooperation between government, management and organised labour.
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