The Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to engage the Federal Government constructively over the new tax laws that took effect last week, rather than resort to public lamentation.
Oshiomhole challenged NLC President Joe Ajaero to defend workers’ interests through dialogue and advocacy if he believes any provisions of the laws are detrimental to Nigerian workers, stressing that complaints alone would not halt their implementation.
The former NLC president spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the book launch and 85th birthday lecture of a former NLC president, Hassan Sunmonu. The event was chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The book, titled Organise, Don’t Agonise, was reviewed by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah.
Oshiomhole said he listened to Ajaero express concern over claims that minimum wage earners were being taxed, but insisted that emotional appeals would not change policy. He urged labour leaders to challenge perceived wrongs through institutional channels.
“If you believe something is wrong, fight it. Lamentation will not change anything,” Oshiomhole said. “On the floor of the Senate, I have always maintained that I did not come to Abuja to cry over imperfections. What Nigerians need are solutions, not tears.”
He noted that the national minimum wage is exempt from taxation, warning that inaccurate claims could weaken labour’s position and credibility. Oshiomhole added that tax laws, like wage benchmarks, remain subject to amendment through engagement and negotiation.
Earlier, Ajaero criticised the process that produced the new tax laws, alleging that organised labour was excluded from key consultations despite workers being among the country’s major taxpayers.
Read Also: Court grants EFCC’s request for temporary forfeiture of Malami’s 57 property
He called for deeper and more structured engagement between government and labour, warning that policies formulated without workers’ input were prone to crisis and instability.
According to Ajaero, the tax reform process sidelined labour from the Presidential Committee on Tax and subsequent legislative stages, resulting in laws he described as burdensome to workers and the poor.
He argued that any tax framework that imposes additional pressure on low-income earners is regressive and inconsistent with principles of social justice, urging the government to pause, review and redirect its approach.
The NLC president also called for the full constitution of the National Pension Commission (PenCom) Board and asked the Federal Government to address public concerns over the tax laws instead of what he described as official grandstanding.
Ajaero warned that continued uncertainty over the legal framework governing taxation could undermine tax administration and democratic governance, urging the government to prioritise institutional integrity and public trust.
He said democracy extends beyond elections to the rule of law, inclusive governance and policies that serve the broader population, calling for urgent attention to workers’ wages ahead of the next statutory minimum wage negotiations.
In his remarks, Sunmonu urged trade union leaders to uphold integrity and remain steadfast in defending workers’ interests, warning against compromising principles for political convenience.
Former President Obasanjo commended Sunmonu’s contributions to the labour movement, recalling reforms undertaken during his administration and the expansion of Nigeria’s labour influence beyond its borders.
Obasanjo described Sunmonu as instrumental in taking the labour movement to continental and global levels, adding that their working relationship helped stabilise industrial relations during a critical period.
The event drew prominent figures, including former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies Issa Aremu, ASUU President Chris Piwuna, former NLC president Ayuba Wabba, and other dignitaries.
