By Michael Oche
In a bid to consolidate gains from the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) and chart a clear path for Nigeria’s climate future, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is set to convene a high-level post-COP30 tripartite review meeting aimed at shaping the country’s just transition agenda and strengthening worker-centred climate policies.
With Nigeria facing increasing climate vulnerabilities and economic pressures, the two-day meeting, scheduled for May 25–26, is seen as a critical step toward building a a coherent, inclusive, and worker-driven climate agenda that aligns environmental sustainability with social and economic justice.
A statement by head of NLC climate change coordinator, Comrade Eche Asuzu said the meeting will bring together key stakeholders including government officials, employers’ associations, trade union leaders, and international partners to review progress, identify gaps, and set priorities for climate action, green jobs, and sustainable livelihoods.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the engagement comes on the heels of Nigeria’s strong participation at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, where the NLC recorded one of its largest delegations and played a prominent role within the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), amplifying the voices of Nigerian workers in global climate negotiations.
It would be recelled that at the global summit, the Congress contributed to discussions around Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) and the Just Transition Guidelines and Action Plan, while also backing the Belem Action Mechanism—a major outcome of the conference championed by global labour movements and adopted by key negotiation blocs, including the Group of 77 and China.
The upcoming review meeting is expected to build on these milestones by consolidating lessons from COP30 and reinforcing tripartite collaboration among labour, government, and employers to ensure that climate policies remain inclusive and responsive to workers’ needs.
Asuzu noted that the workshop will also assess the impact of ongoing climate justice interventions under the NLC’s Climate Change, Green Jobs and Just Transition Programme, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The partnership has enabled capacity building for trade union actors, policy engagement at national and global levels, and awareness campaigns on climate action and sustainable livelihoods.
Beyond reviewing progress, the meeting will focus on strengthening the Trade Union Climate Justice Action Network as a platform for amplifying worker voices in climate governance, while also exploring opportunities for scaling up green jobs and deepening social dialogue.
Stakeholders are also expected to deliberate on strategies for aligning Nigeria’s climate commitments with labour priorities, particularly in the face of economic transitions that could impact jobs and livelihoods. This includes enhancing workers’ participation in climate negotiations and ensuring that no one is left behind in the shift to a low-carbon economy.
The meeting will further draw from insights gained at recent international engagements, including an inter-regional forum in Turin, Italy, where the NLC joined trade unions from across Africa, Europe, and Latin America to exchange experiences and strengthen global alliances on climate justice and just transition.
