MAXIMIZATION OF NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY: THE ROLE OF LABOUR UNIONS IN A GROWING NATION

Abstract

National productivity is a core driver of economic growth, competitiveness, and social welfare, yet emerging economies such as Nigeria face persistent productivity challenges despite labour market expansion and institutional reforms. The study examines the role of labour unions in shaping national productivity outcomes, integrating historical, institutional and contemporary perspectives. Grounded in collective voice theory, the study conceptualizes a framework linking union history and structure, union density, bargaining power, industrial relation quality, worker voice, work place cooperation, motivation, skill development and labour efficiency. Employing qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach, the study analysis incorporates secondary data, policy document, national productivity statistics and comparative insight from other emerging economies. Findings suggest that unions can enhance productivity through improved industrial relation, workers motivation and skill development, but weak institutional frame work and episodic industrial action may limit these benefits. This study contributes a context-sensitive framework for understanding union influence of productivity in emerging economies and provides actionable recommendations for policy, industrial relations management and labour governance.