News From Nigeria
FG, NLC ON WARPATH OVER NATIONAL THEATRE UNVEILING
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday vowed to deplore every lawful tool at its disposal, including full mobilization, protests, and industrial action to return staff to the rehabilitated National Theatre and restore dignified working conditions.
‘’The NLC wishes to let you know that this is not just about physical working conditions but about our workers dignity, rights and the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage’’.
The NLC also demanded a public and transparent resolution of the crisis.
‘’Following the recent global media coverage of this matter, the Federal Government appointed a new Board Chairman, Mr. Disun Holloway, presumably to address longstanding issues. Regrettably, over three months after his appointment, he has yet to engage directly with staff or address their welfare. Rather, his tenure has been marked by secrecy, exclusion, and complete disregard for the plight of workers, who are left to operate in open-air conditions- literally- under trees. He enters and exits the premises through the back door, conducts closed door meetings with the General Manager/ CEO of the National Theatre, (Mrs. Tola Akerele), Central Bank Officials and members of The Banker’s Committee while excluding the most affected stakeholders, the staff’’.
In a letter to the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, the union urged the Federal Government to initiate open, inclusive stakeholders’ engagement regarding the use and administration of the National Theatre.
‘’I write to formally remind you of our earlier correspondence dated 21st May 2025 on the deeply degrading and unacceptable working conditions under which staff of the National Theatre, Lagos, have been forced to operate for an extended period. It is surprising that after 4 months of receipt of our correspondence, nothing has been done to improve workers welfare and working conditions’’.
The letter signed by NLC Chairman, Lagos State, Comrade Funmi Agnes Sessi called for transparency in the management of the facility, protection of jobs and keeping the commitment made by former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who assured no job losses post-rehabilitation.
‘’The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) stands with the workers of the National Theatre in defending the future of the iconic edifice’’.
Titled: ‘’Deplorable working conditions at the National Theatre’’ the union said despite deep frustrations, the staff demonstrated commendable restraint and pursued due process, including: notification of the Office of the Governor of Lagos State via official correspondence, reaching out to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, informing the Inspector General of Police and Lagos State Commissioner of Police, engaging with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy and contacting the Central Bank of Nigeria
‘’Our efforts have yielded no tangible improvements, and the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre remains either unwilling or unable to act’’.
The statement emphasized legal violations.
‘’The NLC wishes to remind you that the ongoing situation constitutes a clear violation of both international and national labour standards, including ILO Convention No. 190 and Nigeria Labour Act, Section 17.
“Every worker has the right to a safe and suitable working environment once they have presented themselves for duty.”
According to NLC, The National Theatre is a National Symbol and taxpayer-funded monument, not the private property of individuals or corporations.
‘’We will not allow it to be quietly handed over under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility or any other veiled privatization tactics’’.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
FG, NLC on warpath over National Theatre
15th September, 2025
The Honourable Minister,
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment
2nd Floor Federal Secretariat Complex,
Phase 1, Shehu Shagari Way,
FCT, Abuja.
RE: DEPLORABLE WORKING CONDITIONS AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE
I write to formally remind you of our earlier correspondence dated 21st May 2025 on the deeply degrading and unacceptable working conditions under which staff of the National Theatre, Lagos, have been forced to operate for an extended period.
It is surprising that after 4 months of receipt of our correspondence, nothing has been done to improve workers welfare and working conditions.
Following the recent global media coverage of this matter, the Federal Government appointed a new Board Chairman, Mr. Disun Holloway, presumably to address these longstanding issues.
Regrettably, over three (3) months after his appointment, he has yet to engage directly with staff or address our welfare rather, his tenure has been marked by secrecy, exclusion, and complete disregard for the plight of workers, who are left to operate in open-air conditions- literally- under trees.
He enters and exits the premises through the back door, conducts closed door meetings with the General Manager/ CEO of the National Theatre, (Mrs Tola Akerele), Central Bank Officials and members of The Banker’s Committee while excluding the most affected stakeholders- the staff.
OUR PATIENCE HAS LIMITS
Despite deep frustrations, the staff has demonstrated commendable restraint and pursued due process, including:
All of the above efforts have yielded no tangible improvements, and the General Manager/CEO of the National Theatre remains either unwilling or unable to act.
LEGAL VIOLATIONS
The NLC wishes to remind you that the ongoing situation constitutes a clear violation of both international and national labour standards, including: ILO Convention No. 190
Nigeria Labour Act, Section 17, which states:
“Every worker has the right to a safe and suitable working environment once they have presented themselves for duty.”
These rights have been consistently and grossly violated.
THE NATIONAL THEATRE: A MONUMENT FOR THE PEOPLE
The National Theatre is a National Symbol and taxpayer-funded monument, not the private property of individuals or corporations.
We will not allow it to be quietly handed over under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility or any other veiled privatization tactics.
OUR DEMANDS
We are left with no choice but to issue a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to:
1 immediately return staff to the rehabilitated National Theatre and restore dignified working conditions.
3 Ensure transparency in the management of the facility.
OUR RESOLVE
The NLC wishes to let you know that this is not just about physical working conditions but about our workers dignity, rights and the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
We are prepared to deplore every lawful tool at our disposal, including full mobilization, protests, and industrial action.
The NLC Demands a public and transparent resolution of this crisis, and Stands with the workers of the National Theatre in defending the future of the iconic edifice.
Enough is Enough.
Comrade Funmi Agnes Sessi
NLC Chairman, Lagos State
CC:
HONOURABLE MINISTER, MINISTRY OF ARTS, CULTURE & CREATIVE ECONOMY
DIRECTOR, TRADE UNION SERVICES & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS.
THE GOVERNOR, CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA.
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, LAGOS STATE.
GM/CEO NATIONAL THEATRE
NEC NATIONAL ABUJA.
AUCPTRE
RATTAWU
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio over “the failure to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution, and to recall Senator Abdul Ningi who blew the whistle on the allegations.”
Mr Akpabio is sued for himself and on behalf of all members of Nigeria’s Senate.
It would be recalled that whistleblower Ningi last month was suspended for three months over his allegations that the 2024 budget was padded by over N3 trillion and that the country is operating two budgets.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/452/2024 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to refer the alleged N3.7 trillion budget padding to appropriate anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to immediately take steps to ensure the reinstatement of whistleblower Abdul Ningi who was suspended from the Senate over his allegations that the lawmakers padded the 2024 budget by irregularly inserting projects worth N3.7 trillion.”
SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel Mr Akpabio to put in place transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the trillions of Naira budgeted for constituency projects are not embezzled, misappropriated or diverted into private pockets.”
In the suit, SERAP is arguing that: “Granting this application would serve the public interest, encourage whistleblowers to speak up, improve public services, and ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.”
SERAP is arguing that, “Directing Mr Akpabio to refer these allegations to appropriate anticorruption agencies and to reinstate whistleblower Abdul Ningi would be entirely consistent and compatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “The allegations by Senator Ningi amount to public interest disclosures and can contribute to strengthening transparency and democratic accountability in the Senate in particular and the country as a whole.”
According to SERAP, “Suspension of Senator Ningi by the Senate followed a seriously flawed process and it amounts to retaliation.”
SERAP is also arguing that, “Senator Ningi’s status as a whistleblower is not diminished even if the perceived threat to the public interest has not materialised, since he would seem to have reasonable grounds to believe in the accuracy of the allegations of budget padding and corruption in the Senate.”
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare and Mrs Adelanke Aremo, read in part: “It is in the public interest and the interest of justice to grant this application. No whistleblower should ever be penalised simply for making a public interest disclosure.”
“Directing Mr Akpabio to refer the allegations to appropriate anticorruption agencies would help to address the lingering problem of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects.”
“Directing Mr Akpabio to refer the allegations to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would also ensure probity and accountability in the budget process.”
“Investigating and prosecuting the allegations of budget padding and corruption would end the impunity of perpetrators. It would build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.”
“Years of allegations of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects have contributed to widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services.”
“Allegations of budget padding and corruption in the implementation of constituency projects have also continued to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens in several communities and the public interest.”
“Combating budget padding would improve access of Nigerians to basic public goods and services, and enhance the ability of ministries, departments and agencies to effectively and efficiently discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.”
“Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution requires public institutions to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.”
“Section 16(2) of the Nigerian Constitution further provides that, ‘the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good.’”
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes clear responsibility on the National Assembly including the Senate to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter 2 of the constitution.”
“Section 81 of the Nigerian Constitution and sections 13 and 18 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act constrain the ability of the National Assembly to unilaterally insert its own allocations in the budget without following the due process of law.”
“Nigeria has made legally binding commitments under the UN Convention against Corruption to ensure accountability in the management of public resources.”
“Articles 5 and 9 of the UN Convention against Corruption also impose legal obligations on the National Assembly including the Senate to ensure proper management of public affairs and public funds.”
“Article 33 of the Convention requires government institutions including the Senate to ensure the protection of whistleblowers against any unjustified treatment. Granting this application would ensure that these commitments are fully upheld and respected.”
“Senator Ningi is a whistleblower, who is protected under article 33 of the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party. Senator Ningi is a whistleblower because of his public interest disclosures on alleged budget padding and corruption in the Senate in the context of carrying out his work as Senator.”
“According to our information, Senator Abdul Ningi, the former Chairperson of the Northern Senators Forum (NSF), recently told BBC Hausa that the lawmakers sought the service of a private auditor and discovered irregularities in the budget.”
“Senator Ningi reportedly said, ‘For example, we had a budget of N28 trillion but after our thorough checks, we found out that it was a budget of N25 trillion. How and where did we get the additional N3 trillion from, what are we spending it for?.’”
“According to BudgIT, a total of 7,447 projects culminating in N2.24tn were indiscriminately inserted in the 2024 budget by the National Assembly. 281 projects worth N491bn, and 3,706 projects within the range of N100–500m, worth 759bn were inserted in the budget.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
7/04/2024
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
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