All you need to know about trade unions in Nigeria, list of diferent associations, functions and their Importance. There are several trade unions in Nigeria that primarily function as a mouthpiece for its members. They have become an important part of many professional bodies, and are majorly concerned with defending the rights of members.

In Nigeria, there are tons of trade unions under the umbrella of the larger coalition of two unions, which are:

– The Nigeria Labour Congress, and

– The Trade Union Congress.

In this article, we will explore major and popular trade unions in Nigeria and associations. Some of them have grown so power that the government don’t dare joke with them, as they can cripple the nation’s economy if not satisfied. 

List Of Trade Unions In Nigeria

  1. The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA)
  2. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) 
  3. Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)
  4. National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) 
  5. Trade Union Congress Of Nigeria (TUC)
  6. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN)
  7. Arewa Traders Associations 
  8. Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN)
  9. Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)
  10. National Shea Products Association Of Nigeria
  11. National Union of Posts and Telecommunication Employees
  12. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
  13. Scrap Dealer Association Of Nigeria
  14. Solid Minerals Association of Nigeria
  15. Nigeria Union of Teachers – (NUT)
  16. Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities – (NASU)
  17. Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics – (ASUP)
  18. National Association Of Medical Doctors – (NARD)
  19. National Association Of Nigeria Nurses And Midwives (NANNM)

More details on the Trade Unions in Nigeria

1. The Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA)

Here is the trade group for all registered insurance firms doing business in the country. It serves as a self-regulatory body and prescribe and enforce self-regulation and code of ethics. It also protect the common interests insurers in Nigeria. 

2. Nigeria Labour Congress

Perhaps, the most important of them all. Here is an umbrella organisation for trade unions in the country. When the NLC speaks, the government must pay attention, as the Union can ground the country’s economy if pushed to the wall. 

3. Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture

NACCIMA’s major function is to improve and promote trade, as well as creating a platform for business contacts. 

4. National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers

Since oil is Nigeria’s major backbone as far as economy is concerned, then NUPENG must be a very important union – and sure it is. It is made up of workers in the petroleum and natural gas sector and seeks the interest of its members. 

5. Trade Union Congress Of Nigeria

Here is another trade union in Nigeria. Its major function is to ensure its members benefit from their participation in commerce, industry, mines and agriculture.

6. Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria

PENGASSAN is in the same sector with NUPENG. It is however made up of senior members of staff in the oil and gas sector, 

7. Arewa Traders Associations 

Here is another trade union made up of arewa traders, to promote trade. 

8. Importers Association of Nigeria

IMAN is an important professional body in Nigeria because the country is an importation-centered one. 

9. Nigeria Medical Association

NMA, being the professional association for registered Nigerian doctors and dentists, is another important union in Nigeria, with thousands of members in different parts of the country (as well as overseas). A reasonable government will always do all it takes to ensure they never indulge in any strike action, as, doing so may lead to preventable deaths. 

10. National Shea Products Association Of Nigeria

This body was set up to see to it that citizens of the country benefit immensely from shea marketing.

11. National Union of Posts and Telecommunication Employees

This trade union is interested in ensuring the revival of their sector.

12. Academic Staff Union of Universities

Many young Nigerians might not be familiar with many of the trade unions up there – but will quickly sit up when they come across the name ‘ASUU’. The association is made up of academic staff in all of the federal and state universities in Nigeria, with the function of promoting the interest of its members (as well as improved funding for universities). Federal and State University students don’t like the union for its penchant for strikes that disrupt their learning activities. 

13. Scrap Dealer Association Of Nigeria

This body is majorly concerned with the acquisition and selling of scraps to export to other countries. 

14. Solid Minerals Association of Nigeria

This trade union is made up of mineral depositors, traders and distributors.

15. Nigeria Union of Teachers

Here is another very influential and important union in Nigeria. Founded in back then in 1931 (long before the country’s independence), it is made up of teachers working in primary and secondary schools across Nigeria. Therefore, it is one association with very huge amount of members (it has a reputation for being one of the associations in Nigeria with the highest numbers of members). NUT’s major function is to serve the interest of its members – although, unlike the likes of ASUU, it rarely go on strike. 

16. Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities

NASU is made up of junior non-teaching staff in Nigerian universities (particularly federal and state universities). Its major interest is to promote the welfare of its members (junior staffs in universities), and it also regulate relations between workers and the Governing Councils of the institution. Fortunately, the union has witnessed tons of success in various capacity – particularly in terms of improving the welfare of its members via several life-changing benefits. Just like ASUU, NASU also have the stamina to shut down universities (and they have actually done that on different occasions). Many times, they are at loggerheads with the management of universities (particularly when they are not treated the way they desire), as well as the government 

17. Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics

Registered as a Trade Union in 1990 and an affiliate of the NLC, ASUP is the “ASUU” version of polytechnics and monotechnics. It consists of all academic staff (lecturers, instructors, technologists and librarians) in all the public polytechnics and monotechnics in the country. The Union seeks the interest of its members, and when it appears the management or government is acting contrary to their goodwill, they will likely go on strike, paralysing educational activities in the process (in public polytechnics and monotechnics) 

In conclusion on the list of trade associations in Nigeria, these Unions primarily seek the interest of their members, and have gained reputation for themselves. 

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