Edo Government, NLC Resolve Dispute, Agree on Secretariat Reopening
The Edo State Government has agreed to recognise and work with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) caretaker committee in the state, ending a prolonged dispute over the committee’s recognition.
The agreement was reached on Friday, October 23, 2026, at a meeting brokered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, at his residence in Abuja.
The meeting brought together Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, NLC President Joe Ajaero, Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State.
In a statement attributed to the NLC’s Head of Information and Publicity, Benson Upah, the state government also agreed to ensure that check-off dues are remitted to the Congress through the appropriate channels.
The agreement further provides for the immediate reopening of the NLC secretariat in Edo State, which had remained locked amid the dispute.
The Congress said the resolution would allow normal statutory relations between the state government and the labour organisation to resume with immediate effect.
As part of efforts to consolidate the agreement, Governor Okpebholo reportedly requested a meeting with the caretaker committee, to be led by Ajaero, during a courtesy visit to him in Benin City.
Electricity Restoration
The agreement also addresses the disruption to electricity supply in Edo State.
According to accounts of the meeting published on Saturday, Ajaero said organised labour would work towards restoring electricity following the resolution of the dispute.
Dingyadi also reportedly said electricity restoration would follow the agreement.
However, the commitment to restore power does not in itself establish that electricity supply has resumed across the state.
Background to the Dispute
The disagreement centred on the Edo State Government’s non-recognition of the NLC caretaker committee and the resulting breakdown in relations between the two parties.
The NLC had complained to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) about what it described as interference, intimidation and bullying by the state government.
According to the statement attributed to Upah, the Federal Government’s delegation to the ILO conference in 2026 had undertaken to address the complaint.
The latest agreement is expected to restore cooperation between the state government and the labour organisation. Its implementation, particularly the recognition of the caretaker committee, reopening of the secretariat and restoration of electricity, will be important in determining whether the dispute has been fully resolved.
