By Our Reporter

The organised Labour, under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern over the increasing economic, political and the lawless situation in the country, warning that if urgent measures are not taken to address the worrying issues, Nigeria will be descending into a state of might where the powerful would ensure that the weaker ones do not exist.

The organised labour said the nation is beset by daunting challenges that threaten not only the democracy but the very fabric of the collective existence.

Addressing workers at the 2025 May Day Celebration at Eagles Square in Abuja, the NLC president, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo lamented the worsening ethnic tensions, the alarming state of insecurity, the unchecked impunity in governance, and the blatant disregard for constitutional and democratic principles, saying the situations have cast a dark shadow over the nation.

They said when governments and their institutions implement policies that uphold the dignity, unity, and aspirations of the people, they strengthen democracy and reinforce governance structures, but when they fail to do so, democracy is weakened, institutions become compromised, and crisis looms.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Ajaero and Osifo used the forum to call on government to stop the continuous killings of innocent Nigerians by terrorists and other killers groups in the country.

They also asked President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the unconstitutional institution of emergency state in Rivers state and reserve his energy to face insecurity in other parts of the country.

The labour leaders said: “The killings around the country; Uromi, Eha Amufu, Adani, Ondo, Owo, Zamfara, Bokkos and Riyom in Plateau State; Benue; Kebbi state and the unchecked kidnappings around the country continues to imperil our nation. It bears testimony to the failure of the government to perform its basic duty to its citizens who elected them into office. The number one duty of the federal government is to ensure the safety of lives and property. The government must step up and fulfill its constitutional obligations to the citizens instead of these constant lamentations.

“As we speak, we hear of the emergence of new terrorist group named Mahmuda sect in Middle Belt. This calls for serious attention. We must approach the insecurity situation as a country in War.

“The choices we make today will define our nation for generations to come. We must choose between facing the realities before us with courage and wisdom or continuing in denial while our country edges towards the abyss.

“Warning signs and red flags are all over the place. If we do not address these systemic failures, we risk descending into a state where the rule of law is replaced by the rule of might, and where governance is determined not by democratic principles but by brute force.

“Comrades, the time to act is now. Those who occupy positions of leadership must recognize that true leadership is about service, humility, and inclusivity. It is about building bridges, not walls. The future of our nation depends on their willingness to govern with a sense of justice and fairness. The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary must maintain their independence and act separately for the good of our nation.

“As workers and as citizens, we must also remain vigilant and resolute in our demand for accountability. Our voices must not be silenced, and our resolve must not waver. We owe it to ourselves, to our children, and to the generations yet unborn to stand up for the values of democracy, equity, and justice.

“We fought for this democracy and paid the highest price to chase the military and their cohorts back to the barracks. Doing nothing should not be an option but calling for a constructive engagement and building the needed coalition to rid our nation of the malaise that have held it down is important. People are elected into public office to serve and not to plunder. Our nation and its people must be protected”.

On the economy, they said Nigerian economy is facing severe structural challenges, with deteriorating macroeconomic fundamentals negatively impacting workers, the real sector, and citizens’ welfare.

“Government’s policies have failed to address rising inflation, unemployment, exchange rate instability, and unfavourable GDP, leading to worsening living conditions for the masses. The numbers are not adding up and do not reflect the reality on the ground.

“The truest performance measurement of any economy is the nature of citizens’ welfare and the economy’s capacity to continue providing such level of welfare now and in the future.

“Whatsoever statistics or numbers that does not demonstrate that the people are well off and are able to meet their basic needs now and in the future is sheer Juju and a waste of time. On this two basic test, the nation’s economy fails in significant ways in the last few years.

“Nigerian workers and masses continue to suffer miserably because of the harsh economic realities while a stroll in the various streets across this nation bears the sad tale. Nigeria is still ranked 161 out of 193 nations sampled in Human Development Index (HDI) by UNDP classified amongst countries with low Human development. Number of persons living in absolute poverty in 2025 is about 115M while in multi-dimensional poverty has grown to nearly 175M; pre-rebased unemployment figure stands at 35% though the rebased figure is around 5.3%.

“We observe that key macroeconomic Fundamentals are Negative with huge implications for lives and livelihood of Nigerians. Inflation rate surged to 33.69%, the highest in 28 years. Food Inflation 40.53%, driven by high fuel costs, insecurity in farming regions, and forex scarcity. The implication for us as workers is that real wages have collapsed as our purchasing power are continuously eroded, with the minimum wage of (₦70,000) now worth less than ₦15,000 in 2019 terms. Most of our families can no longer afford basic meals as a month’s salary cannot buy a bag of 50kg rice or beans, Corn and other basic items. World Bank has predicted increasing poverty in Nigeria. The same organisation that Nigeria panders to in driving economic policies. What this tells us is that even those supporting you are afraid of owning the outcome of their pieces of advice.

“Underemployment stood at nearly 70% while NBS puts it at 12.6%, meaning that many workers are in low-paying, insecure jobs while Youth Unemployment is estimated at over 40% according to the World Bank. Same World Bank predicts worsening poverty and hardship amongst Nigerians as we head towards 2027.

“Our economy therefore continues to experience mass job losses in manufacturing, agriculture, and SMEs due to high production costs driven by government economic policies. The real sectors which are any economy’s foundation are gasping for breath as Manufacturers struggle to import raw materials, unsold inventories continue to increase leading to factory shutdowns. About 60 multinational firms (e.g., GlaxoSmithKline, P&G) exited the economy between 2023 and now all due to harsh operating environment. There is no economy that can make progress without a strong domestic manufacturing base. How can you talk of job creation when the very entities that would provide the jobs are closing shops?

“A nation that wallows in Power poverty suffers adversely and cannot be serious about development. Industries in Nigeria spend between 40-60% of costs on diesel due to poor electricity supply. Insecurity (banditry, Herder raids on farms) has contributed in reducing Agricultural output causing food crisis and forcing increasing food imports and a dependency on foreign food donors. According to 2023 report of Global Hunger Index, Nigeria was ranked 109th out of 125 and this has worsened since then. This should worry anybody talking about the Economy doing well.

“The truth is that our economy is fiscally and monetarily challenged. Fiscal indiscipline amongst public office holders to the detriment of the economy exacerbates an already bad economy. CBN interest rate or MPR cannot stand at 27.5% and you expect industrialization to proceed unhindered. It will take only a miracle. Action must be taken to provide effective support for the real sectors to jump start the economy. Kowtowing to the wishes of Neoliberal driven Bretton-wood institutions (WB/IMF) will continue to recycle hardship in our nation. We have seen it over and over. It will not be any different this time. Recent events in Argentina should teach us a lesson if we are willing to learn.

“The ongoing Tariff war sparked by President Trump’s imposition of severe tariff regime on all manners of imports into the US should remind those that run our economy of the severe imperfection of the neo-liberal model. We should learn the importance of developing a robust domestic economy to allow us the freedom to control our destiny especially when the ones that are preaching trade liberalization to us are now leading trade wars which is counter to trade.

“Deliberate steps must be taken to put more money in the hands of workers – who shop locally to stimulate the economy and reduce inventory creating deeper multipliers within the economy. Deploying all manners of subterfuge such as rebasing the indices; unemployment rate; inflation rate and GDP are not helpful. When the Economy does well, the citizens will feel it and that is where the real measure lies”, they noted.

On energy, the leaders said: “Every year, we talk about this sector yet, those that claim to know better have refused to listen but insists on listening to what does not work. We are workers in the various organisations running the Petroleum and Power sectors, we know where the skeletons are buried. We know what works. Government if it really wishes to deliver an effective Energy sector to Nigerians should sit down with critical stakeholders to turn around this sector so that it will play its critical role in Nigeria’s economic development. Energy poverty continues to hold Nigeria in its stranglehold.

“While we are blessed with enough natural resources to drive a robust energy sector, we have lacked the requisite leadership capacity to make it a reality. We are still at a great loss on how to explain events in the Oil and Gas sector. We have crude, yet Dangote claims to import crude to run his refinery. Dangote exports refined products yet, we import refined petroleum products. This defies logic.

“A nation that fails to harness and manage its energy resources efficiently is doomed to economic stagnation and systemic collapse. Nigeria’s energy sector remains a glaring example of mismanagement, corporate exploitation, and governmental negligence, leaving millions in darkness and stifling our industrial potential. That Nigeria is celebrating electricity generation of 5528 MW is disquieting for a country with over 200M people while South Africa generates almost the same at 43000MW for a population that is about 45M. What is worrying still is that not more than 4000MW of that entire generated amount will eventually get to homes and industries.

“If the President is sinking N10b into solar in lamentation of the high cost of electricity in the Villa; the Deputy Governor of Lagos state wringing his hands on the Millions he pays on electricity tariff monthly while many agencies of government are crying out, are they thinking of how the worker or the average citizen is going through under such high tariff? At least that should tell government what it has subjected us to.

“Energy, whether from electricity, oil, or gas—is the lifeblood of any modern economy. Yet, decades of corruption, privatization scams, and policy failures have turned this vital sector into a tool for profiteering by a privileged few, while ordinary Nigerians suffer. The federal government must urgently collaborate with workers, trade unions, and the people to reclaim this sector and ensure energy sovereignty for all.

“Public domestic Refineries have remained incapacitated. The Porthacourt and Warri Refineries which we were told had become technically completed are still lying technically in coma. All the promises of revitalization remain a huge mirage. The Port Harcourt refinery, after billions spent on repairs, is yet to function optimally. The game that is playing out in the sector especially the downstream sector where Dangote is exporting refined products while other entities import same products can only be explained as a deliberate economic gang-up. The entire story around Naira for crude is simply mind-boggling and can only happen here. Nigerians deserve full disclosure on why we must have to suffer.

“Though we can glean marginal progress in the oil and gas sector, we urge the Federal Government to fix all refineries and resolve outstanding issues with NNPCL, Dangote, and marketers to ease pressure on citizens.

“We demand strict enforcement of the expatriate quota system, as the manipulation by International Oil Companies (IOCs) deprives Nigerians of employment opportunities. We call on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to act decisively — or workers will have no option but to down tools.

“We still insist that Power Sector Privatization was a daylight heist and a Monumental Failure. A decade after privatization, Nigeria’s electricity sector remains in shambles. Nigerians are forced to pay exorbitant tariffs for darkness, while: estimated billing continues as legalized robbery. If we are serious about development as a nation, we must be intentional about getting the energy sector especially the Power sector functional.

“Comrades and fellow workers, we stand united against the unjust Tax Bills that seek to bleed the working class dry. These bills, crafted without our input, imposes heavy burdens on workers while letting the rich and corporations off the hook. It taxes our meager allowances—housing, transport, even medical benefits—while failing to ensure progressive taxation that makes the wealthy pay their fair share. This is not just an attack on our wallets; it is an attack on our dignity and survival in a time of crushing inflation and economic hardship. National Minimum Wage stands at N70,000 per month or N840,000 per annum. This government proposes to place the minimum taxable income at N800,000. This is insensitive to the suffering masses. How can you tax a man whose earnings per annum is just eight (8) bags of 50kg rice? How can you propose to Tax not just workers at the threshold of the National Minimum Wage but those below it?

“The expansion of VAT on essential goods and the introduction of new levies will spike the cost of living, hitting the poorest hardest. Meanwhile, the bills have not done anything to curb the reckless spending and corruption of those in power. Instead of squeezing workers, the government should be taxing the profits of big business and the obscene wealth of the elite. The so-called “development levy” is nothing but a scheme to make the working class pay for the failures of the system.

“The informal sector, the backbone of our economy, is also under siege. Street hawkers and artisans face daily harassment and extortion under presumptive taxation, while small businesses are burdened with compliance costs that only serve to choke their growth. This bill is not about justice—it is about squeezing every last drop from those who toil while the exploiters laugh all the way to the bank.

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of this anti-worker Tax Bills! No more policies made behind closed doors while workers are excluded. The current and the proposed tax systems preys on workers’ incomes – PAYEE is not paying us! We call for progressive taxation, VAT exemptions on essentials, and real support for the informal sector. Nigeria workers will not rest until tax justice is won—not for the rich, but for the millions who keep this nation running”.

On electoral reforms, the labour leaders said: “There is a deep crisis of political legitimacy in our nation which stems from errors in our electoral system. No progressive society can afford to normalize this dysfunction. The current trajectory is unsustainable. A democracy that does not guarantee participation, justice, and transparency in its electoral process is one that betrays the social contract. Electoral justice is not a privilege; it is a right that must be protected with the same urgency with which we defend civil liberties and economic freedoms.

“The trade union movement in Nigeria, on behalf of the working people, calls for an urgent national undertaking to reform our electoral and governance architecture. This is not a partisan demand; it is a patriotic duty. We need a process that ensures every vote counts and that public office is a reflection of the popular mandate, not the outcome of elite manipulation or institutional compromise.

“To achieve this, we urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to rise beyond party lines and demonstrate bold leadership in initiating a broad-based and inclusive electoral reform process. We must convene stakeholders—workers, civil society, political actors, youth, and the marginalized—to collectively redesign our electoral framework in ways that uphold democratic principles, promote political accountability, and foster genuine popular participation.

“This is how we deepen democracy. This is how we build a nation where leadership emerges from the consent of the governed, not from the convenience of a few. Only then can we truly say we are committed to building a just, equitable, and progressive Nigeria”.

Speaking on the condition of workers, the labour leaders said: “Nigerian workers are not happy! Nigerian workers are hungry. Nigerian workers are suffering massively. We feel betrayed by the very people whose duty it is to ensure that we maintain a balance. We want to know whether it is a crime to be a worker in Nigeria? Why are we deliberately being made poor? Why are we being ground to the dust? We have become one of the poorest workers on earth! Mr. President, Governors and Private Employers – where is justice in the Wages that you pay us?

“It appears that the harder we work, the poorer we become. Everywhere, we turn, we are slapped with indignity! Everywhere we seek succor, the rug is pulled out of our feet with glee! Should any worker be working in poverty? Should any worker be a beggar while he is working to keep the wheel of production; the wheel of wealth creation rolling? Should the worker-patriot be condemned to constant tears and weeping because he works for the good of the fatherland? Where is the conscience of the nation? Where has the basic ideals of governance gone? Is there social justice in poverty?

“It is important that all patriots – those who have the interest of our nation at heart join hands to protect the pillars of the nation’s democratic culture. The various freedoms at the core of democratic practice are the elements that make democracy more sustainable thus far more than other historical governance constructs. It is key that whether we are in public office today or not, our collective efforts must be geared towards maintaining the very fine tenets and traditions of democracy.

“One of these platforms that allow democratic expressions and national cohesion is the civic space. Its usefulness and benefits to truly democratic governance are immense if explored. That is why we insist that as a nation and as a people, we must all join hands together to stop its erosion. It remains the public square that allows the government a glimpse into the feelings of the people enabling it gauge the civic pulse and direct its policies and programs accordingly. Without a vibrant civic space, this feedback is shutdown. It is only by reclaiming the civic space that we can adequately interrogate the forces that drive economic hardship in our nation.

“No matter the turbulence, we must remain steadfast as the bastion of the conscience of the people of this nation to ensure the sanctity of the civic c of Enugu, from the streets of Lagos, from the mining death pits of Zamfara, from the sands of Kaduna, from every picket line where workers have been beaten, jailed, or murdered for daring to demand their rightful share of the wealth they create! We stand today not as beggars, not as victims, but as the unstoppable force of history—the working class, the makers of the world, the ones whose labour breathes life into the empty coffers of the exploiters! Our fears and our worries should worry those who govern us if they are truly our leaders. We must continue using the civic space to express these fears so that they will be addressed.

“The Nigerian worker is neither powerless nor voiceless. We are the backbone of this nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy. Yet, too often, our labor is met with exploitation, our demands with repression, and our rights with neglect.

“The path ahead is difficult, but history shows that progress is won through persistence. We will not be silenced by intimidation, nor will we accept half-measures. Let this May Day mark not just a celebration of labor, but the beginning of a renewed movement.

“History teaches us one truth: No oppressor lasts forever! From colonialism to apartheid, from dictatorship to neoliberalism—every tyranny has fallen before the logic of organized labour and the people’s cries! Let us reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.

“Let us therefore leave here today with fire in our hearts and resolve in our hands! Let us organize in every factory, every market, every village! Let us be the generation that forges a world where wealth is shared, where work is dignified, and where justice is not a dream but a reality”.

They therefore demanded that: An urgent reversal of the unconstitutional suspension of the elected Government of Rivers state via a State of Emergency which is alien to our laws, the federal and state governments should cease actions that erode the civic space but should encourage and deepen it for the sake of our nation.An immediate salary adjustment sync with Economic realities.That Government explains what exactly it is taxing in the PAYEE.The withdrawal of the Tax Bills before the National Assembly to allow Nigerian workers sit at table where it is being conceived. An immediate implementation of the reduction of telco tariff from 50% to 35% as agreed.

Others were, living wage, fair taxation, and an end to policies that prioritize corporate profits over workers’ survival, democratic accountability – transparent governance, electoral reforms, and an end to the suppression of dissent.
Energy, infrastructure, and essential services must serve the people, not private interests. Regulators must work for the people!.

Also included in their demands were, an end to the genocidal killings and bloodletting across the nation, worker’s rights and security – Safe workplaces, the right to organize, and protection from state and employer violence, an expansion of NLAC’s activities and increasing the meeting periods, the indiscriminate Registration of new Unions in areas with proper coverage should stop, immediate payment of all outstanding Allowances, pensions and gratuities across the nation
Restoration of Gratuity Payments, public servants, who served diligently for decades, deserve a dignified exit just like political office holders who serve for much shorter periods.

More their demands were, “upward review of Retirement Age. It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service — currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges — to all public servants.

“An end to dehumanizing verification exercises in the public service
An acceptable National Minimum Pension to guarantee dignity in retirement and automatic adjustment of pensions to reflect inflationary trends.
Once again, we call for a review of the Electricity Privatization exercise with the view to a reversal”.

Speaking, President Bola Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammad Dingyadi, sort for the collaboration of labour in fixing the country.

He said: “This administration stands ready to collaborate with labour unions, the organized and informal private sector, and Civil Society Organizations to create policies and programmes that safeguard the rights and livelihoods of workers across all sectors of the economy.

“The theme for this year’s May Day celebrations “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship” speaks to the challenges we face as a nation and the opportunities that lie ahead of us as a people. The theme is one that demands our collective attention and serves as a stark reminder of the need to create an environment where every worker feels safe, valued, and empowered to contribute productively to the growth and prosperity of our nation. As your President, I assure you that this administration is committed to creating such a utopic climate for the common good.

“Economic hardship, which today is a global phenomenon, cuts across all regions, testing the resolve of world leaders, but has not broken our spirit. I am well aware of the peculiarities of this economic hardship for Nigerians which is occasioned by the struggles and challenges you workers and indeed many Nigerians face ranging from rising costs of living, hunger, insecurity, unemployment, loss of livelihoods and the pressure to provide necessities for your families, amongst others.

“These challenges are real, critical and demand definite solutions, which I as your President is poised to address. It is in this regard that my administration is not only committed but intentional in formulating and implementing policies that promote job creation, decent jobs, poverty alleviation, economic growth and stability, as well as supporting the most vulnerable among us.

“It is, however, worth noting that economic progress alone is not enough. We must also reclaim the civic space, the space where ideas are exchanged, voices are heard, and change is born. A vibrant civic space is the cornerstone of democracy, and it is essential for holding leaders accountable, fostering innovation, and ensuring that every Nigerian has a seat at the table. Therefore, to reclaim this space, we must prioritize transparency, inclusivity, equity and dialogue. We must protect the rights of workers to organize, advocate, and participate in decision-making processes. And we must ensure that the voices of the marginalized are amplified, not silenced as it is through this space that we can build trust, unity, and a shared vision for a brighter future.

“On our part as government, we will continue to strengthen labour protections, improving job security, and ensuring fair treatment for all workers in line with international best practices, and at the same time addressing issues of underemployment which remains a significant concern. These we shall endeavour to pursue vigorously noting that our workplace dynamics are evolving faster than ever before, recognizing the emerging challenges such as technological advancements, environmental hazards, shifts in work patterns, and mental health concerns, which demand our innovative solutions. It is in this regard that Nigeria is at the verge of signing onto the Global Coalition for Social Justice of the International Labour Organization to ensure that Nigeria’s Labour Administration System not only resonates with best practice, but Nigeria’s voice is clearly heard in the international arena of the world of work. The guiding principles of the Coalition are centered around six (6) thematic areas bordering on employment creation, social protection, sustainable enterprises, ensuring human dignity, addressing inequalities and skills investments, and are in tandem with our national priorities particularly with the priority areas of our Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I urge you all to on this Workers’ Day, reaffirm your commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and justice. Let us work together to ensure that every worker, regardless of their role or background, has access to opportunities that enable them to thrive. Let us stand united in our pursuit of a Nigeria where insecurity is replaced with stability, and where the civic space is a beacon of hope and progress”.

END