The Nigerian labor movement has been thrown into mourning following the sudden passing of Comrade Domingo Adeleke, the Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC).
​Comrade Adeleke passed away after a brief illness in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was attending the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC).
​The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) confirmed the tragic news in a statement, expressing profound shock and sorrow over the loss of a dedicated and vibrant labor leader. Adeleke was part of the Nigerian delegation attending the global summit, which brings together worker, employer, and government representatives to shape the future of international labor standards.
​Comrade Adeleke was widely respected for his steadfast commitment to the welfare of public servants, particularly in Lagos State. As the head of the JNC, he was at the forefront of critical negotiations with the state government, advocating for fair wages, improved working conditions, and the implementation of workers’ rights.
​In an initial reaction, colleagues and fellow labor leaders described his death as a monumental loss to the working class.
​”Comrade Adeleke was a bridge-builder and a fierce defender of workers’ rights. To lose him on an international assignment where he was representing the interests of Nigerian workers makes this tragedy even harder to bear,” said a senior union official.
​While the immediate cause of his brief illness has not been made public, officials have indicated that consultations are ongoing with his family and the Nigerian embassy in Switzerland regarding the repatriation of his remains.
​Further announcements regarding his funeral arrangements and official tributes are expected from the NLC and the Lagos State JNC in the coming days.
