As Nigeria joined the global community in commemorating International Workers’ Day on May 1, 2025, the mood in the country was subdued. Despite recent promises of reform, Nigerian workers continue to face numerous challenges, including low wages, mass layoffs, poor labour protections, and hazardous working conditions.
Implementation of minimum wage
According to BudgIT, a Nigerian civic organisation, only 17 states have implemented the new minimum wage as of April, 2025. In the private sector, inconsistent compliance is a major issue, with some employers often citing increased operational costs as an excuse for non-payment. This has further exacerbated the economic hardship faced by workers. Many rural public servants and civil service workers as at today still earn less than N40,000 monthly.
Economic challenges
The current economic situation in Nigeria is dire, with rising inflation and food prices further exacerbating the cost of living for workers. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that Nigeria’s inflation rate stood at 23.18% as of March 2025, with food inflation at 40.01%. This has significantly increased the burden on workers, making it difficult for them to make ends meet.
Labour unions’ demands
This year’s Workers’ Day theme, “Reclaiming the Civic Space Amid Economic Hardship,” captures the escalating frustration and pressing demands of workers struggling to cope with economic strain and perceived government apathy. The theme underscores the urgent need for improved workers’ rights and economic policies to tackle the myriad of challenges facing Nigerian workers. The Nigerian labour market is grappling with significant hurdles, with the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) 2024 report revealing that over 65% of workers are in insecure employment, a figure that continues to rise.
On May 1, 2025, Organised Labour called on the federal government to prioritise inclusivity in policy-making and safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and association. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, made this impassioned plea during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja. Ajaero underscored the importance of safeguarding democracy and civic space, where citizens can voice their concerns and challenge injustices. He emphasised that the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship” highlights the urgent need for citizens to push back against repression and protect their rights.
The NLC President condemned the alleged suppression of protests and erosion of workers’ rights, urging workers to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity. He stressed that workers are the backbone of society, saying, “Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development.” Ajaero called on workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair, mobilising for change and demanding better conditions. He emphasised that the right to demand improved working conditions is non-negotiable and that workers must take an active role in fighting for economic justice and democratic governance.
Similarly, TUC President Festus Osifo highlighted the crucial role workers play in sustaining the nation’s economy, identifying them as the backbone of the country. Osifo stressed the importance of labour reclaiming the civic space, even in the face of economic hardship, and demanding better working conditions, social justice, and economic policies that benefit the masses. Funmi Sessi, Chairman of the NLC in Lagos State, urged the government to implement impactful interventions to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians amid the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services.
Sessi expressed deep concern over the economic hardship facing the country, noting that successive governments have failed to address the nation’s challenges, leading to widespread poverty and hardship. She criticised the current administration for not introducing policies that effectively lift people out of poverty, saying, “We have been stripped of our glory as a nation. Leadership failure over the years has pushed Nigerians into untold hardship.” The NLC Chair in Lagos State, urged leaders at all levels of government to acknowledge the urgency of the situation and implement practical policies to positively impact lives. “The suffering is overwhelming. Nigerians are struggling.
Workers are exhausted. The government must take action and intervene,” she emphasised. Beyond government responsibility, Sessi also challenged citizens to play a role in addressing the nation’s challenges. She encouraged Nigerians to support one another, contribute to national development, and take ownership of security in their communities. “We must be honest with ourselves; some of us are also contributing to our own hardships. When you exploit fellow Nigerians by overpricing goods, you’re making life worse for them,” she said.
Sessi stressed the importance of collective action in addressing the nation’s challenges, saying, “A tree cannot make a forest. We all have a role to play. When we excel in our work, create wealth, and raise our children well, we’re helping our country.” She urged Nigerians to lead by example, restore hope, and take ownership of their communities’ security.
Meanwhile, TUC Lagos State Chairman, Gbenga Ekundayo, emphasised the need for economic reform to address the deepening hardship faced by Nigerians. He attributed the economic challenges to government policies that favour the elite at the expense of the masses, highlighting the growing gap between the rich and the poor. “You can’t claim to reset the economy while the common man suffers and the political elite continue to live lavishly,” he said. Ekundayo stressed that the civic space must be a level playing field, where everyone has equal opportunities. He also emphasized the need for social security, warning that insecurity will persist until the economy works for the average person. “You cannot have security in a nation where people are hungry, homeless, and hopeless,” he said, calling on the government to prioritise citizens’ welfare and address the root causes of poverty.
Ekundayo called for a living wage for workers, dismissing the current minimum wage as inadequate. “N70,000 is not excessive considering the prevailing poverty,” he said. “It’s high time we reclaimed Nigeria’s civic and economic space.” The TUC chair urged both government and religious institutions to demonstrate greater responsibility, questioning their priorities. “Why build grand structures when people are homeless and sleeping under bridges? Why host extravagant parties and waste food when millions are struggling to eat?” He asked. Government response Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended workers for their resilience in the face of economic challenges during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration in Lagos.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting workers and strengthening the state’s workforce, expressing willingness to collaborate with labour unions. Sanwo-Olu adopted the speeches presented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), saying, “I have listened to your demands, and we will continue to work as partners in progress.” The governor assured workers that his administration would focus on improving infrastructure to enhance their lives, emphasising that workers’ takehome pay would be sufficient to meet their needs.
He celebrated workers for their contributions to the state’s development, thanking them for braving the rain to attend the celebration. “You all deserve to be celebrated. Thank you for being an integral part of our government; I salute you all,” he said. In a separate address, President Bola Tinubu acknowledged the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, assuring workers that his administration is committed to developing policies to tackle these challenges and improve workers’ welfare. He emphasised the need to strengthen labour protections, improve job security, and ensure fair treatment for all workers. The President also announced plans to join the Global Coalition for Social Justice, aiming to align Nigeria’s labour administration system with international best practices.
Key demands
Workers’ rights groups are demanding a living wage, citing the rising cost of living and economic hardship. They argued that the current minimum wage is insufficient to meet the basic needs of workers, and that a living wage is essential to ensure dignity and fairness.
Way forward
As Nigeria moves forward, it is clear that addressing economic hardship and protecting workers’ rights will be crucial. The government’s commitment to policy reforms and collaboration with labour unions is a step in the right direction. However, more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving economic hardship and ensure that workers are treated with dignity and respect.
