Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty. The Nigerian Labour Congress has expressed concerns over the rising cost of living, which has eroded the initial N77,000 minimum wage implemented by President Tinubu’s administration after the removal of fuel subsidy.

Staff Reporter	Publication	Publication Date
Hajara Abdullahi	Morganable	1 May 2026

Kano—

Labour leaders have raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity, poverty and the shrinking space for decent work in Nigeria.

The union warned that harsh economic conditions were undermining workers’ welfare and national productivity.

The  concerns were expressed by the union during a pre-May Day lecture convened by organised labour in Abuja, ahead of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration.

A copy of the transcript was made  available to journalists on Thursday.

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, lamented how insecurity and poverty had become major obstacles to decent work, stressing that millions of Nigerians were trapped below the poverty line while quality jobs continued to disappear.

Ajaero stressed that solving insecurity and poverty would significantly improve living conditions and economic activities across the country, especially in agriculture and small businesses.

“If we remove insecurity today, you see that there will be food everywhere. People will go back to their farms. You don’t even need the government to bring any cover. People will be free to move from one place to another to sell.” he said

The NLC president expressed concerns over how nearly 90 per cent of jobs in Nigeria were now in the informal sector, where workers do not have pensions, job security and decent conditions of service.

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

Ajaero said, “If there is poverty, if there is insecurity, in most cases you don’t even have a job, let alone having a decent job”he added

However,he commended the Federal Government for reintroducing gratuity payments, emphasizing that workers deserved dignity after retirement.

“The issue of decent jobs is not about getting employment from the government. It’s all about what you take home.”he added

The President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, reaffirmed the need for stronger solidarity among workers and stakeholders to combat poverty and insecurity.

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

He emphasized that decent work remained non-negotiable for Nigerian workers and urged greater cooperation to improve the working conditions of Nigerian labour force nationwide.

“While calling for greater solidarity and cooperation towards the eradication of poverty and insecurity in our workplaces, in particular, and Nigeria in general, decent work is a must for Nigerian workers and is not negotiable” he added

While delivering the keynote lecture, a scholar of international relations and strategic studies, Prof Kunle Olawunmi, described poverty and insecurity as direct threats to labour productivity, governance and national stability.

Olawunmi said Nigeria could not build a productive economy on “frightened communities, hungry households, underpaid workers and displaced citizens.

FIWON Seeks Social Protection
The Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to swiftly design and implement a comprehensive social protection programme for over 93 per cent of the country’s workforce operating in the informal economy.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the President and General Secretary,Bolaji Saadu and Gbenga Komolafe, President and General Secretary, respectively, FIWON said the celebration rang hollow for millions of working people in informal employment who continued to face staggering inequality, poverty, and structural exclusion from social protection schemes.

“Informal workers, including traders, artisans, home workers, garment makers, construction workers, farmers and food processors, domestic workers, mechanics, transporters, waste pickers, and vendors, make up over 93 per cent of Nigeria’s active workforce and contribute at least 65 per cent to the national GDP“the statement reads

Workers Day:NLC Express Concerns Over Rising Poverty

“Yet, these critical contributors to the nation’s economy remain largely excluded from social protection schemes such as pensions, healthcare, and workplace safety coverage, while existing social protection schemes remain largely symbolic, with ridiculously low coverage of those in desperate need of support” the statement added

He lamented the sorry state of Nigerian workers stressing that tangible actions need to be taken instead of mere celebration of the day.

Yes, Workers’ Day is meant to celebrate the dignity of labour and the contributions of workers to national development. But what is there to celebrate when the majority of Nigerian workers cannot access basic healthcare, have no pension to look forward to, and receive no support when injured on the job?” the statement added

Nigerian Workers Facing Renewed Hardship _ Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of worsening the economic conditions of Nigerian workers despite earlier promises of reform and relief.

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

In a statement issued to mark the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, Atiku said the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current government has translated into “renewed hardship” for millions of Nigerians struggling with rising living costs and economic uncertainty

“Today, it is painfully clear that what was renewed was not hope, but hardship,” he said, lamenting the burden placed on workers across sectors, including teachers, healthcare professionals, civil servants, and artisans” he said

The former Vice President also criticised the implementation of the fuel subsidy removal policy, describing it as a necessary step but poorly executed.

According to him, the abrupt removal without adequate safety nets triggered a surge in fuel prices, transportation costs, and food inflation, leaving ordinary Nigerians to bear the consequences.

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

“A responsible government would have prepared citizens with cushioning mechanisms. Instead, this administration removed the subsidy and left the Nigerian worker to drown,” he stated

Atiku also questioned the utilisation of money saved from the subsidy removal, alleging that the benefits have not translated into improved living conditions for citizens.

He raised concerns over government spending priorities, particularly referencing large-scale infrastructure projects, which he claimed lacked transparency and direct impact on the populace.

Workers’ Day:NLC Expresses Concerns Over Rising Poverty

The former Vice President also acknowledged the resilience of Nigerian workers amid economic hardship, insisting that their struggles are the result of policy decisions rather than personal failings.
Workers across Nigeria are faced with harsh economic realities following the removal of the fuel subsidy

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