President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero has been awarded the 2026 Arthur Svensson International Prize for Trade Union Rights.
The award is given to individuals and organisations involved in the protection of trade union rights and workers’ rights globally.
Mr Ajaero, who also previously served as General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), has been active in labour activities for several years.
He became NLC president in 2023.
Since taking office, he has led the labour centre during negotiations and disputes involving workers’ pay, working conditions and government labour policies.
The NLC under his leadership was part of discussions that led to the approval of a new national minimum wage.
He has also represented Nigerian labour interests at international engagements.
In 2025, he spoke at the launch of the International Trade Union Confederation Global Rights Index in Geneva, where he raised concerns about labour rights conditions in Nigeria.
Ajaero has been involved in labour activism since the 1990s.
During the military administration of Sani Abacha, he was arrested and detained over union-related activities.
The Arthur Svensson International Prize is awarded annually to trade union leaders and organisations that work on workers’ rights under difficult conditions.
The organisers say the award recognises efforts to defend union rights, collective bargaining and workplace protections.
