remove fuel subsdy. The NLC was able to rally other trade unions and civicl societies to support its planned protest. This challenge was marked by actions when the government moved on with the removal of payments for fuel subsidy. By 9 January 2012, massive protest erupted around Nigeria and in major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano. These protest crippled the economy as there was a total shutdown of the Nations different workforce and it lasted more than five working days. This led the then president Jonathan to announce on live TV that government will now subsidize fuel prices and reduce it to about $2.75 (£1.80) a gallon. The protest was eventually suspended after this broadcast by the federal government. Together with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the NLC supported Peter Obi and the Labour Party in the 2023 Nigerian general election, a party the NLC started in 2002. This is the first time the union has expressed explicit support for a political party. Women's wing The National Women Commission is the national women's wing of NLC. It was created in 2003 to increase the participation of women in the affairs of the union. Beginning in 1983, demand for more recognition of working women led to the establishment of women's wing in state capitals. Currently state branches of NLC have a women's committee and the chairperson of the committee is an automatic member of the administrative council of the state's NLC. On the national level, the head of the National Women Commission is automatically a Vice-President of NLC.The president of the National Women Commission is Comrade Rita Goyit. The women wing also engages in massive rallies and protest in support for women rights and against gender based violence against women. Affiliates Current affiliates The following unions are affiliated to the NLC: Former affiliates Leadership Presidents 1978: Wahab Goodluck 1979: Hassan Sunmonu 1984: Ali Chiroma 1988: Pascal Bafyau 1994: Post vacant 1999: Adams Oshiomhole 2007: Abdulwaheed Omar 2015: Ayuba Wabba 2023: Joe Ajaero General Secretaries 1978: Aliyu Dangiwa 1986: Lasisi Osunde 1992: Post vacant 2001: John Odah 2014: Peter Ozo-Eson 2019: Emmanuel Ugboaja See also History of Nigeria Economy of Nigeria References External links NLC official home page Nigerian Tribune: NLC holds 30th anniversary lecture National federations of trade unions Trade unions in Nigeria International Trade Union Confederation Trade unions established in 1978