Abstract
The accelerating forces of globalization and digitalization are reshaping labour markets, employment relations, and the nature of work worldwide. In this evolving landscape, the relevance of national labour centers such as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has become a critical subject of scholarly and policy discourse. This study examines the contemporary roles, challenges, and adaptive strategies of the NLC and TUC in protecting workers’ rights and advancing social justice within an increasingly interconnected and technology-driven economy. Using a qualitative analytical approach grounded in labour relations theory and globalization studies, the paper explores how these umbrella labour organizations respond to emerging issues such as precarious employment, platform-based work, automation, outsourcing, and informalization of labour. It highlights their contributions to wage negotiations, social dialogue, policy advocacy, and resistance to anti-labour reforms, while also assessing internal constraints including declining union density, limited digital capacity, and regulatory pressures. The study finds that despite structural and technological disruptions, the NLC and TUC remain vital institutions for collective bargaining, democratic participation, and socio-economic stability in Nigeria. However, their continued relevance depends on strategic digital transformation, youth engagement, cross-border labour solidarity, and innovative organizing models suited to non-standard forms of work. The paper concludes that in a globalized and digitalized world, the future influence of Nigerian labour unions will be determined by their ability to balance traditional union functions with emerging realities of the digital economy.