Discussions during the mission, 9-11 March, focused on persistent violations of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights, particularly at Chinese-owned firms. This happened alongside widespread decent-work deficits, precarious working conditions, the erosion of living wages and legal obstacles to union recognition most notably at Dangote Industries. Delegates and affiliates also examined challenges in defending workers' rights along supply chains and strategies to increase union density.

The mission coincided with an International Women's Day event in Lagos hosted by the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTW) on 11 March under the theme: Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls."

Policy responses for economic development

The IndustriALL mission heard that Nigeria's manufacturing revival faces formidable structural challenges. Chronic energy shortages, rooted in ageing infrastructure and recurrent national-grid collapses, continue to throttle industrial output. Early this year, about 16 power plants were offline at once, leaving generation at about 4,000 MW despite far higher installed capacity.

The cost-of-living crisis has further eroded real incomes. The national minimum wage of ₦70,000 (US$51) per month, introduced in 2024, has been rapidly overtaken by persistent inflation, prompting the Nigeria Labour Congress to demand an urgent review in 2026. Youth unemployment remains high, compounding social pressures in a country where the informal economy still dominates.

However, policy initiatives supported by unions offer pathways forward. For example, the government's National Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) policy seeks to revive a once-vibrant value chain from farm to factory through targeted financing via the Bank of Industry. The establishment of a dedicated development board aims to curb billions of dollars in annual garment imports and generate much-needed jobs. Broader industrialisation efforts emphasise the untapped potential of Nigeria's oil and gas reserves, particularly through the Decade of Gas programme, to power domestic manufacturing and position the country as a regional energy hub.

Regional and international trade agreements could amplify these gains. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) promises expanded market access and the development of cross-border value chains. Further, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), recently renewed for one year, provides tariff-free entry into the US market for eligible goods.

The unions said the levels of unionization in Nigerian manufacturing remain modest, reflecting both legal and practical barriers to organising.

"There are great opportunities to deepen organizing across most manufacturing sectors in Nigeria. For this to materialise, respect for trade-union rights and genuine collective bargaining is essential,"

said IndustriALL assistant general secretary, Kemal Özkan.

The delegation included Rose Omamo, IndustriALL vice president, and Paule-France Ndessomin, the regional secretary for sub-Saharan Africa.

IndustriALL's Nigerian affiliates are the Chemical and Non-Metallic Products Senior Staff Association (CANMPSSAN), the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTW), the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFLNANMPE), the Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN), the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and Dangote.