Joe Ajaero awarded the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2026

Brother Joe Ajaero stands as one of the most courageous and principled defenders of trade union rights on the African continent today. His lifelong dedication to protect workers, advance democratic freedoms, and resist systemic repression makes him an exceptional and highly deserving recipient of the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2026. 

Joe Ajaero (Photo: NLC)

As President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) since 2023 and long‑serving General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Ajaero has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to workers’ rights in an environment marked by hostility, intimidation, and escalating state repression. His leadership spans decades, including earlier roles as Deputy President of the NLC, Chairperson of the NLC Political Commission, labour journalist, and board member of national institutions. Throughout this time, he has been a steadfast advocate for social justice, democratic governance, and the dignity of working people. 

Ajaero’s courage is evident in his remarkable resilience in the face of severe personal danger. He has survived multiple assassination attempts, resisted bribery and inducements, and endured continuous harassment from state security agencies. His arrest and detention by the Abacha military regime in the 1990s marked only the beginning of a long struggle against authoritarian forces intent on silencing labour activism in Nigeria. More recently, as NLC President, he has faced intensified repression, including the burning of his residence, abduction and brutalisation by the police, ethnically motivated verbal attacks, surveillance, and spurious criminal charges aimed at delegitimising and intimidating him. 

Despite these threats, Ajaero has continued to lead national campaigns in defence of democracy, civic freedoms, and labour rights. Under his leadership, the NLC has challenged anti‑union government policies, opposed the shrinking of civic space, and confronted corporate abuses by powerful private actors such as the Dangote Group. His steadfast advocacy has ensured the protection of workers in highly vulnerable sectors, including the electricity industry, where he led resistance to damaging privatisation policies. 

Ajaero’s efforts extend beyond Nigeria’s borders. He has been a significant contributor to global labour discussions, including speaking at the launch of the ITUC Global Rights Index in Geneva in 2025, where he exposed the Nigerian state’s systematic tactics of intimidation, harassment, and violations of workers’ rights. His testimony has been instrumental in drawing international attention to Nigeria’s deteriorating labour rights environment. 

Under extremely challenging circumstances, Ajaero and the NLC succeeded in securing a national minimum wage in Nigeria, demonstrating not only strategic leadership but also his unshakeable commitment to improving the lives of ordinary workers. He continues to advocate for national dialogue on economic hardship, taxation, insecurity, and governance failures, ensuring that workers’ voices remain central to policymaking despite intense political pressure. 

In summary, Brother Joe Ajaero exemplifies the values at the heart of the Arthur Svensson Prize: extraordinary courage, commitment to democratic trade unionism, and exceptional leadership in the face of persecution. His tireless efforts have protected countless workers, strengthened the integrity of the labour movement, and brought global attention to the urgent struggle for trade union rights in Nigeria. 

For his bravery, perseverance, and lifelong dedication to organised labour, Joe Ajaero fully merits the Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights 2026.