The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden death of renowned labour activist and intellectual, Abiodun “Aremson” Aremu, while calling for an immediate and thorough probe into the circumstances surrounding his passing.
The 65-year-old activist reportedly lost his life in a hit-and-run incident near his home in Ifo, Ogun State, on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
In a statement signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the labour body described Aremu’s death as a huge loss to the Nigerian working class and to all who have dedicated their lives to the fight for justice and equality. The Congress said Aremu’s lifelong commitment to the rights of workers and the oppressed made him a symbol of courage and dedication within the labour movement.
Ajaero noted that Aremu was one of the key architects of the Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) and the Joint Action Front (JAF), both of which played crucial roles in uniting workers and civil society in the struggle for good governance. “Comrade Aremu was a titan of the class struggle, an organic intellectual, and an unwavering internationalist whose life was devoted to the emancipation of the working people,” the NLC statement read.
The NLC also raised concerns about the suspicious nature of the hit-and-run incident, comparing it to similar unsolved deaths of other activists. The organisation demanded a transparent investigation by both the federal and Ogun State governments to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. “We cannot accept this as a mere accident. The Nigerian state must ensure that the perpetrator is apprehended and the full truth revealed,” Ajaero stressed.
The statement further highlighted Aremu’s contributions to workers’ education through the establishment of the Amilcar Cabral Institute of Ideological Studies, which focused on training young activists in socialist principles and revolutionary thinking. He also led solidarity movements for Western Sahara and Cuba, championing the cause of oppressed peoples globally.
As part of the burial plans, the NLC urged comrades, activists, and supporters of social justice to converge in Ifo, Ogun State, on October 23, 2025, to give the late activist a befitting ideological farewell. The Congress called on Nigerians to honour Aremu’s legacy by continuing the struggle for workers’ rights, social justice, and equality that he dedicated his life to.