Abstract

This paper takes cursory look at the development of the Nigerian trade union movement. Using the historical approach, it is argued that a combination of ideological, political, structural and personal factors has made it virtually impossible for the movement to attain a level of unity needed to secure concessions from the Nigerian state and the owners of capitalist industry. The paper then concludes that given the unfolding developments within the global and local economies which continue to confer advantages on capital, the Nigerian trade union movement needs to overcome internal divisions and confront the prevailing situation as a class for itself.

Key words: trade unions, unity, capitalism, ideology.