Enough is enough: Labour unions demand immediate reversal of VON DG’s retaliatory redeployment of union leaders

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: Labour Unions Demand Immediate Reversal of VON DG’s Retaliatory Redeployment of Union Leaders

………Workers Will Not Be Silenced – Labour Vows to Resist Tyranny and Defend Organised Unionism*

By NLC, TUC, NUJ, RATTAWU, SSASCGOC – Lagos State Councils
July 15, 2025

The Lagos State branches of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), and the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), collectively condemn in the strongest possible terms the vindictive, reckless and illegal redeployment of in-house union leaders and key management staff by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Jibrin Baba Ndace.

This brazen act of anti-labour hostility is a direct assault on the constitutional rights of workers, an open declaration of war against unionism, and an unmistakable abuse of office aimed at silencing the voices of accountability and institutional integrity.

Let it be clearly stated: this move is not administrative—it is political. It is not reform—it is repression. The DG’s action reeks of retaliation, victimization and high-handedness against union leaders who dared to raise genuine concerns over the failing conditions at VON’s Lagos operations.

We have in our possession a letter dated March 22, 2025, sent by VON’s Lagos in-house union leaders to the DG and titled “Ploy to Render Lagos Staff Redundant.” The letter outlined damning operational lapses that point to systemic neglect and mismanagement under Mr. Ndace’s watch. These include:

No diesel supply to the Lagos office since Q3 2024—crippling broadcast operations and exposing VON to frequent blackouts.

Deplorable studios—unfit for quality production, undermining content output and staff morale.

Unpaid cleaning contractors—leaving the office in a hazardous state of filth and decay.

Non-functional vehicles—crippling basic logistics.

Collapsed sanitary facilities—forcing staff to seek relief in neighboring FRCN offices like vagrants.

Instead of responding with leadership, Mr. Ndace responded with tyranny. Rather than fixing the rot, he punished those who pointed it out.

This is an abuse of power, a violation of civil service ethics, and an attack on democratic workplace norms.

We remind Mr. Ndace and all complicit authorities that:

Union leaders are protected by international conventions and Nigerian labour laws.
Victimizing workers for telling the truth is a crime—not leadership.

Our Demands Are Clear and Non-Negotiable:*

1. Immediate reversal of all punitive redeployments of union leaders and affected staff.

2. Independent investigation into all allegations of financial recklessness, administrative abuse and high-handedness.

3. Respect and restoration of the fundamental rights of union leaders and members to raise concerns without fear or threat.

4. Urgent intervention by relevant national labour bodies and government institutions to restore sanity, justice and industrial peace at VON.

Let it be known: we will not fold our arms while an agency of the Federal Government is turned into a dictatorship. Union leaders are not slaves, and workers are not disposable pawns.

If these demands are not met immediately, we shall have no option but to mobilise in full solidarity—with actions that will match the weight of this injustice.

This is a fight for the soul of public service, for the dignity of labour, and for every Nigerian worker who dares to speak truth to power.

An injury to one is an injury to all. Enough is enough.

E-Signed
Comrade Funmi Sessi – Chairperson, NLC Lagos State
Comrade Abiodun Aladetan – Secretary, TUC Lagos State
Tunde Olalere – Secretary, NUJ Lagos State Council
Comrade Ismail Adejumo – Chairman, RATTAWU Lagos State
Comrade Kayode Alakija – President General, SSASCGOC / Deputy President, TUC Lagos State Council

Cc:
NLC National President
TUC National President General
NUJ National President
RATTAWU National President