President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero, has emerged as the 2026 laureate of the Arthur Svensson International Award for his contributions to the defence of workers’ rights.
The NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, saying the recognition represented a historic milestone, noting that it marked the first time a Nigerian trade union leader would receive the prestigious global honour.
He said the Arthur Svensson Award is presented to individuals who demonstrated exceptional courage, commitment and leadership in defending workers’ rights and trade union freedoms globally.
Ajaero’s selection underscored the growing visibility of the struggles of Nigerian workers within the international labour movement, he said, adding that the award came at a time when workers in Nigeria continued to face challenges such as workplace repression, anti-union practices and difficult economic conditions.
“This honour is not just for Comrade Ajaero but for every Nigerian worker who has remained steadfast in the face of intimidation, economic hardship and violations of labour rights,” he said, adding that the recognition indicated that the global community was paying closer attention to the plight and resilience of Nigerian workers.
He urged Nigerian workers to remain committed to the pursuit of fair wages, improved working conditions and protection of democratic rights, saying the NLC leadership will leverage the award to intensify advocacy for compliance with international labour standards and deepen its engagement with workers across all sectors.
Ugboaja said Ajaero would lead a delegation of labour leaders to Oslo, Norway, to receive the award on behalf of Nigerian workers, just as he expressed appreciation to the Arthur Svensson Foundation and the Norwegian labour movement for recognising the efforts of the NLC and demonstrating solidarity with Nigerian workers.
