President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has been awarded the 2026 Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights, in recognition of his courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to defending workers’ rights in Nigeria despite mounting repression and threats.
The Arthur Svensson Prize, one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions for trade unionists, honours individuals and organisations that demonstrate exceptional courage and commitment to defending workers’ rights under difficult conditions.
Ajaero, a veteran trade unionist and long-serving General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, emerged as a standout recipient of the globally respected prize due to his consistent advocacy for democratic freedoms, social justice, and the dignity of working people in an increasingly hostile environment.
Since assuming office as NLC President in 2023, Ajaero has led the labour movement through a period marked by intimidation, state pressure, and shrinking civic space. His leadership, however, has remained firm, confronting anti-worker policies and holding both government and corporate actors accountable.
His journey has not been without grave risks. Ajaero has survived multiple assassination attempts, resisted inducements, and endured sustained harassment from security agencies. His ordeal dates back to the 1990s when he was arrested and detained under the Abacha military regime for his labour activism.
In recent times, the threats have intensified.
As NLC President, he has reportedly faced the burning of his residence, abduction and brutalisation by security operatives, surveillance, and a series of controversial charges widely seen as attempts to silence and intimidate him.
Despite these challenges, Ajaero has continued to champion the rights of Nigerian workers, leading campaigns against anti-union policies and advocating for improved welfare. Under his leadership, the NLC successfully pushed for a new national minimum wage, offering some relief to millions of workers amid economic hardship.
He has also played a key role on the international stage, drawing global attention to the state of labour rights in Nigeria.
At the 2025 launch of the ITUC Global Rights Index in Geneva, Ajaero highlighted what he described as systematic intimidation and violations of workers’ rights by state authorities.
His advocacy has extended to critical sectors such as the electricity industry, where he led resistance against policies considered detrimental to workers, particularly in the context of privatisation reforms.
Observers say Ajaero’s recognition not only underscores his personal sacrifices but also shines a spotlight on the broader struggles of the Nigerian labour movement in the face of political and economic pressures.
With this award, Ajaero joins a distinguished list of global labour leaders whose work has advanced the cause of justice, equity, and human dignity.
For many, his story is one of defiance, resilience, and an unyielding belief in the power of organised labour to effect change—even in the face of adversity.
