Press Statement
(23/12/2025)
WE HAVE LOST A HERO
It is with indescribable feeling of pain and bewilderment that we announce the passing away of our immediate past General Secretary, Dr Peter Ozo-Eson.
Dr Peter Ozo-Eson passed away on Saturday, December 13, during a protracted illness in the course of which he demonstrated uncommon stoicism, often making light of his plight in order to reduce the psychological burden on friends and family.
Peter Ozo-Eson, born on 29th June 1948 graduated in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1974 where he was a student activist. After a stint as Research Assistant at the Nigerian Institute of Socio-Economic Research Institute (NISER), and Graduate Assitant at the Department of Economics, University of Ibadan, he left for Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada from where he obtained Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Economics.
He joined the services of the University of Jos in 1982 rising to the rank of Associate Professor before retiring from the University in 2002. Earlier, he had taken a leave of absence from the University to serve as Director of Projects (and later Acting Executive Director) at the Centre for Centre for Advanced Social Sciences (CASS), Port Harcourt (between 1998 and 2003).
He was head-hunted by the Nigeria Labour Congress to be its Chief Economist and Head of Research in 2003. In 2014 he was appointed General Secretary, a position he held until 2019 when he voluntarily retired from service.
His public life spanned various spheres of life. A renowned academic and committed activist, he produced generations of scholars as well made numerous negotiating teams of ASUU from 1992 because of his profound knowledge of the Nigerian economy and his negotiating skills. He was the Auditor General of the Jega-led ASUU national leadership. He similarly served on Congress’ negotiation teams with government and employers where his rich experience became an advantage to the Congress.
He served as a member of the accreditation teams to Bayero University, Kano; University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri; Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, etc.
Dr Ozo-Eson was at various times a member of the Presidential Study Group of Monetisation of Fringe Benefits in 1992; National Advisory Council; Drafting Team of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy 1 and 2, 2004 and 2007. He was similarly a member, Steering Committee of the Vision 20:2020; National Council on NEPAD; and Board of the PPPRA, among others.
In Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, the NLC, the entire labour movement and the world of progressive elements have lost a scholar of repute, a researcher with an eagle eye, an administrator, an organaniser and a battle-tested General of many wars.
Left to mourn him are his wife, Professor Philomina Ozo-Eson, children and grand children.
Burial arrangement is as follows:
1). January 22: Vigil mass/tributes night at Holy Trinity Church, Maitama, Abuja;
2). January 23: Funeral mass, interment, entertainment;
3). January 25: Thanksgiving mass at Holy Trinity Church, Maitama, Abuja.
Benson Upah
Acting General Secretary