Nigeria’s Labour Movement Mourns, As Lagos JNC Leader, Michael Adeleke Dies in Geneva

 

By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Domingo Michael Adeleke, is dead.

 He died on Tuesday in Geneva after a brief illness.

Adeleke was part of the Nigerian delegation to the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) currently holding in Geneva.

He reportedly became ill and was later taken for medical attention. He subsequently passed away.

The development was confirmed by an official of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who described Adeleke as a committed trade unionist dedicated to the welfare of workers.

“It is with deep sorrow that the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) and the entire trade union movement in Nigeria, especially the 2026 Workers’ Delegates to the International Labour Conference, announce the passing of Comrade Domingo Michael Adeleke, who died today in Geneva after a brief illness while attending the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference,” the official said.

A member of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Adeleke served as Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council, where he was involved in labour-related advocacy and workers’ welfare initiatives.

According to the NLC, he remained committed to the promotion of decent work and social justice throughout his career.

“Comrade Domingo was a committed trade unionist whose dedication to Nigerian workers and the struggle for decent work took him to the global stage right to the end.

“His loss is felt deeply by all who knew him and worked alongside him,” the official added.

The NLC said its leadership had visited the hospital where his body is being kept and had begun arrangements for the repatriation of his remains.