… Ex-President Recounts Labour Reforms, Praises Summonu’s Leadership
Daud Olatunji
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that when he assumed office in 1999, Nigeria’s labour movement was partly funded by foreign intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Soviet-era KGB.
Obasanjo disclosed this on Wednesday at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, during the 85th birthday celebration and book launch of former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Hassan Summonu.
According to the ex-President, the revelation formed the basis of his decision to reform Nigeria’s labour unions and establish a truly independent, nationally-controlled organisation.
“Before the reforms, one union was backed by the KGB, the other by the CIA. These were Nigerian labour organisations, but they were not being financed by Nigeria. That was the reality,” Obasanjo said.
He recalled that the need for reform led to the appointment of Justice Adebiyi, who spearheaded the process that culminated in the creation of a unified Nigeria Labour Congress, a body organised, funded, and led internally.
Summonu subsequently became the first elected president of the reformed NLC, a development that Obasanjo described as pivotal in strengthening the relationship between government and labour while maintaining the union’s independence.
Obasanjo praised Summonu’s leadership, noting that his efforts had expanded Nigeria’s labour influence across Africa and globally.
He further revealed that he wrote the foreword to Summonu’s latest book, highlighting the labour leader’s contributions to national development.
“I wanted a Nigerian labour organisation, organised by Nigeria, headed by Nigeria, and funded by Nigeria. Justice Adebiyi completed the reforms, and Hassan was elected the first leader,” Obasanjo said.
The former President’s remarks shed new light on the historical challenges faced by Nigeria’s labour movement and the significance of the reforms that shaped it into a nationally-driven body.
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