By Chukwuma Umeorah
Nigeria’s Trade Unions have called on the Federal Government to prioritise workers’ rights in the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
This call was made in Lagos on Tuesday, where the unions unveiled a Workers’ Charter of Demand on Just Transition, advocating for policies that mitigate the socio-economic impacts of decarbonisation on workers, their families, and communities.
‘Just Transition’ represents a transformation from carbon-based economic activities to low or zero carbon economy in a manner that limits the negative impacts.
Speaking on behalf of the organized labour, General Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Afolabi Olawale, emphasised the need for government’s commitment, stating, “We, the workers of Nigeria, will continue to advocate for our rights and interests throughout this transitory process and demand that our government, employers, and other social partners work with us to ensure a just transition to a low-carbon economy.”
He further highlighted the importance of skills development and training to equip workers for opportunities in green industries.
According to him, job retention policies, fair wages, and social protection must form the backbone of a sustainable transition.
The charter, developed in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria and signed by major labour unions including NUPENG, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather, and Non-Metallic Product Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) calls for the establishment of a Just Transition Fund.
The unions insist that the fund must be managed transparently and accountably to cushion affected workers from job losses and economic dislocation.
It also proposes the creation of a Tripartite Commission for Social Dialogue on Just Transition, bringing together the government, employers, and workers’ organizations to develop inclusive policies that prioritise social justice and economic stability.
The unions further advocate for the integration of workplace gender perspectives into just transition strategies to ensure women’s economic empowerment and reduce vulnerabilities in the transition process.
FES consultant on the development of the charter, Tunde Salman clarified that it does not replace existing Nigerian labour laws or international labour instruments but serves as an advocacy tool.
“It does not supplant the existing instruments, but it is a complement. It provides Nigerian workers with a specific framework to engage in this debate and ensures that their voices, concerns, and needs are integrated into energy transition policies,” Salman stated.
To track progress and hold stakeholders accountable, the unions are calling for the development of key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of just transition initiatives, such as the number of workers retrained, the creation of new green jobs, and the overall impact on community well-being. Additionally, they propose a monitoring mechanism to document challenges and ensure continuous assessment of transition policies.
Salman further noted that the ‘Workers’ Charter’ aligned with labour unions’ language in collective bargaining, making it a familiar and effective advocacy tool.
“When government makes policy decisions on energy transition, workers should be in the room. This charter helps create awareness and ensures that just transition measures capture the interests of workers,” he added.