Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said he deliberately took steps as military Head of State to prevent Nigeria’s labour unions from falling under the influence of foreign powers, particularly the CIA and KGB.
Obasanjo explained that the labour reforms carried out during his regime were necessitated by the poor funding of trade unions at the time, a situation he said made them vulnerable to external control and ideological manipulation.
The former president spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the launch of the biography of the late labour leader and pioneer President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Hassan Sunmonu.
He said his objective was to build a labour movement that was “organized by Nigerians, controlled by Nigerians, financed by Nigerians.”
Obasanjo’s remarks came as the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and former Edo State Governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, offered suggestions on how to address tensions arising from the Federal Government’s newly enacted tax legislation.
Also speaking at the event, the President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Chris Piwuna, criticised politicians defecting to the ruling party in a bid to retain power.
According to Obasanjo, the military government embarked on labour reforms to restore stability within the labour movement and secure its independence from foreign interests.
“I came on to say that I needed a Nigerian labour union organised by Nigerians, controlled by Nigerians and financed by Nigerians. So, we decided that there is going to be a labour reform and I told the man I put in charge, Justice Adeniyi.
“Though these the labour organizations are Nigerian organizations, but they were not financed or funded by Nigeria. I don’t know if you know that, but that was the reality. One was being financed by KGB. That is the truth. And the other one was being financed by CIA. That was the truth.
“I needed for Nigeria a Nigerian labour union organized by Nigeria, controlled by Nigeria, financed by Nigeria. So, I decided there was going to be a labour union reform.”
Obasanjo noted that Hassan Sunmonu was initially among those who opposed the reforms, but later emerged as a major beneficiary after being elected as the pioneer president of the NLC.
The former president also disclosed that his government quietly reached an understanding that helped ensure relative industrial peace across the country.
He said: “When Justice Adebiyi finished his job, and we reformed the labour and party law establishing NLC, what happened? Without government’s hand, they elected their leader. And Hassan became the first leader they elected. I don’t know how I felt at that time, but I felt comfortable.
“One, because I have had a short spell in the Ministry of Works, where Hassan was working. So, I had known him in the Ministry of Works. But now that he has become the leader of the trade union, I needed him.
“He needed me. It now depends how do we work together. So, if Hassan is seen as being too close to me, he will be seen as a sell-out.
“And he will not enjoy the confidence of the union and the member. So, I said to Hassan, you know, I need you, you need me. We have to succeed together.”
The debate over the newly enacted tax law was reignited by Ajaero and Senator Oshiomhole during the event. Ajaero faulted the passage of the legislation, saying it was regrettable that organised labour was excluded from the process despite workers being major contributors to taxable income.
He criticised the lack of consultation, stressing the need for deeper engagement with labour unions before major policy decisions are taken.
Ajaero said: “That was why we were excluded from the Committee and that was why our warnings went unheeded. We do not see anything wrong in pausing along this negative path, rethink, and, redirect.
“Tax Law that imposes heavy burden on workers and the poor is not progressive. Tax that taxes the national minimum wage is not fair”.
Ajaero also praised Sunmonu’s pioneering role in shaping modern trade unionism in Nigeria, describing him as a living legend.
Guest speaker and former Executive Secretary of ECOWAS, Mohammed Ibn Chambers, described Sunmonu as a skilled mobiliser who earned the trust of Nigerian workers through sincerity and selfless advocacy for their welfare. He noted that Sunmonu went beyond protests to promote alternative approaches to social development.
Book reviewer and Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, said the biography chronicled Sunmonu’s life and major experiences as a labour leader. He also criticised Nigerian politicians, accusing them of manipulating religion and ethnicity for selfish political interests.
Former Head of State, retired General Abdulsalami Abubakar, described Sunmonu as a good man who made meaningful contributions as a labour leader. In a goodwill message, retired General Ike Nwachukwu recalled Sunmonu’s role in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, noting that he worked with the Federal Government to ensure its dismantling.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, described Sunmonu as a remarkable leader who lived a fulfilled life. He urged the current NLC leadership to uphold Sunmonu’s legacy by mobilising workers in the fight for social justice and economic well-being.
In his remarks, ASUU President, Prof. Chris Piwuna, said the union would mobilise its members to counter the actions of politicians engaging in mass defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
