Business
ICJ Affirms Right to Strike as Global Landmark Victory, Sparks Debate Between Labor and NECA
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The organized labor movement on Monday hailed a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirming that the right to strike is implicit in Convention 87 as a landmark victory for workers worldwide.
However, the ruling has sparked a fresh domestic debate, with labor representatives strongly criticizing the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) for attempting to downplay the judgment’s impact.
The controversy escalated following a television appearance by the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde.
Speaking on TVC, Oyerinde argued that the right to strike is not automatic and asserted that workers must still adhere strictly to existing local labor laws, specifically citing Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA).
He also suggested that a meeting of social partners to establish complimentary conditions remains a necessary precondition before any strike action can be declared.
Labor representatives quickly fired back, labeling Oyerinde’s remarks as an “unnecessary academic exercise in futility” and a selective interpretation of international law. Critics accused the NECA boss of being economical with the historical background of the dispute, pointing out that the issue had already undergone exhaustive debate across various levels of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The legal battle began when the global Employers’ Group challenged whether the right to strike was protected under Convention 87.
After the ILO Governing Board affirmed the right through a majority decision, the Employers’ Group appealed the matter to the ICJ. As the highest judicial body in the world, the ICJ’s subsequent ruling in favor of workers is considered definitive and legally binding.
Labor advocates emphasize that Nigeria ratified Convention 87 in 1960, signaling a long-standing commitment to its principles. They argue that following the ICJ’s conclusive verdict, both the Nigerian government and employer bodies like NECA are obligated to obey the law unconditionally rather than selectively hiding behind local statutes to weaken workers’ rights.
Reassuring the public and the business community, labor stakeholders maintained that a strike has never been the first option for workers, but rather a last resort. They cautioned that an adversarial interpretation of the ICJ ruling by employers would only harm industrial harmony, urging instead for mutual respect and total adherence to international legal frameworks to guide future industrial relations in Nigeria.
The post ICJ Affirms Right to Strike as Global Landmark Victory, Sparks Debate Between Labor and NECA appeared first on Business Today NG.
The average retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) rose to ₦1,532.93 per litre in April 2026, up from ₦1,288.54 recorded in March, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday.
The latest Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) Price Watch shows that the April price represents an 18.97 per cent increase on a month-on-month basis.
The report also indicates that on a year-on-year basis, the average retail price rose from ₦1,239.33 in April 2025 to ₦1,532.93 in April 2026, representing a 23.69 per cent increase.
According to the NBS data, Yobe recorded the highest average retail price at ₦1,599.05 per litre, followed by Edo at ₦ 1,595.74 and Bauchi at ₦ 1,589.07.
On the other hand, Niger recorded the lowest average price at ₦1,403.89 per litre, followed by Sokoto at ₦1,404.16 and Katsina at ₦1,406.28.
The South-South recorded the highest average retail price at ₦1,566.76 per litre, while the North-West recorded the lowest at the ₦1,508.81 per litre.
Diesel price increases
The National Bureau of Statistics also said the average retail price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) rose by 50.16 per cent on a month-on-month basis in April 2026.
The price increased from N1,648.06 per litre in March to N2,474.69 per litre in April.
On a year-on-year basis, diesel price increased by 43.67 per cent from ₦1,722.45 per litre in April 2025 to N2,474.69 per litre in April 2026.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s GDP grows by 3.89% in Q1 2026 — NBS
Nasarawa recorded the highest average diesel price at ₦2,818.94 per litre, followed by Ebonyi at ₦2,754.06 and Taraba at ₦2,704.76.
Kebbi recorded the lowest price at ₦2,180.28 per litre, followed by Kogi at ₦2,192.70 and Katsina at ₦2,269.14.
The North-East recorded the highest average diesel price at ₦2,603 per litre, while the North-West recorded the lowest at ₦2,409.34 per litre.
The report highlights continued variation in petrol and diesel prices across states and geopolitical zones during the period under review.
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