The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on administrative bail late Monday night. His release is seen as an effort to prevent an impending nationwide strike.

Omoyele Sowore confirmed Ajaero’s release on X, formerly Twitter, early Tuesday, though the NLC had yet to officially verify the news.

Earlier, the NLC had threatened to shut down the economy if Ajaero was not freed by midnight. His arrest drew widespread condemnation, with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other labor unions calling for his immediate release.

The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) had even warned of a grid shutdown in protest.

Meanwhile, Dr. Muda Yusuf, Director of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), urged the DSS to prioritize dialogue with the NLC to avoid worsening the country’s economic challenges.