The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced the death of its General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, describing his passing as a major loss to the labour movement and declaring that “The struggle has indeed lost a titan!”
The NLC made this known in a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Enugu, on Thursday, August 27, where the council met under what it described as “a deep shadow of grief.”
According to the communiqué, the NEC received the news of Ugboaja’s death from his family, saying the labour leader passed away in the early hours of Saturday, August 22, 2026, after a protracted illness which he fought with “characteristic stoicism and courage.”
The Congress said Ugboaja remained committed to the interests of Nigerian workers despite his personal health challenges, noting that “As a true soldier of the working class, he deflected attention from his personal travail, focusing instead on the burdens of Nigerian workers, even in his final days.”
Describing his contribution to the labour movement, the NLC said Ugboaja was “not merely a General Secretary” but the quintessential “General Secretary of General Secretaries.” It described him as “An erudite scholar, a passionate advocate, and a cerebral strategist,” whose intellect and legal training strengthened his contribution to the trade union movement.
The Congress said the late General Secretary dedicated himself to protecting Nigerian workers and oppressed people, both within Nigeria and beyond, while describing his commitment to international working-class solidarity as evidence of his “internationalist conviction.”
According to the NLC, Ugboaja was a formidable presence both in negotiations and on the picket line during his tenure. It also recalled his participation as a delegate at the National Political Reform Conference in 2005 and the National Conference in 2014, where he represented the interests of the downtrodden.
The labour centre said Ugboaja used both platforms to articulate the concerns of ordinary Nigerians, describing him as “a brilliant blessing that walked amongst us and a very steady voice.”
The NEC further resolved that the late labour leader should receive a befitting farewell, saying the NLC leadership was working closely with his family to ensure that he was accorded the dignity and honour he deserved.
It added that the labour movement would give him a farewell that reflected his contributions to the struggle for social justice.While mourning his death, the NLC said it drew comfort from the life of service he lived and the legacy he left behind.
Declaring that “This is not a funeral; this is a roll call of the living,” the Congress said that although its General had fallen, “his spirit will answer “Present!” in our ongoing struggle for equity and fair play in our workplaces.” It urged members to remain steadfast, keep faith with the struggle and continue the pursuit of social justice.
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