As workers across Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark International Workers' Day on May 1, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) delivered a solemn yet defiant message to government authorities: "We are tired of empty promises—it's time for action." Against a backdrop of deepening economic hardship, the NLC used this year's May Day celebration not only to honour the resilience of Nigerian workers but to make bold demands aimed at restoring dignity to labour.
Held under the theme "People First: Addressing Insecurity, Economic Hardship, and Social Injustice", the NLC’s May Day gathering in Abuja was a mix of patriotic solidarity and pointed frustration. In a strongly worded address, NLC President Joe Ajaero lamented the harsh economic realities facing workers—from skyrocketing inflation to stagnant wages, job losses, and a deteriorating standard of living.
"The Nigerian worker has become a victim of poor economic policies and political negligence," Ajaero declared. “We are not just celebrating labour today; we are also mourning the decline of social welfare and justice.”
The NLC’s list of demands was both comprehensive and urgent:
1. A New National Minimum Wage: The Congress called for an immediate upward review of the national minimum wage to reflect current inflationary trends. The last wage review was in 2019, and since then, the cost of living has more than doubled.
2. Reduction in Fuel Prices and Energy Tariffs: Workers decried the ripple effect of fuel subsidy removal and incessant hikes in electricity tariffs, which they say have eroded disposable income and pushed more families into poverty.
3. Job Security and Youth Employment: With youth unemployment hovering above 40%, the NLC is demanding strategic investment in job creation, particularly in industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and ICT.
4. Social Protection and Pension Reforms: The union stressed the need for comprehensive social protection programmes for retirees, vulnerable groups, and informal sector workers, who often face abandonment after decades of service.
5. Tackling Insecurity: Arguing that insecurity is not only a humanitarian crisis but an economic one, the NLC urged the government to intensify efforts in safeguarding lives and property—especially in conflict-prone rural areas where many workers and farmers operate.
The May Day speeches resonated not just with unionists, but with ordinary Nigerians grappling with soaring food prices, naira depreciation, and a shrinking middle class. As of April, inflation was recorded at over 33%, with food inflation approaching 40%—one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ajaero warned that if the government fails to act decisively, the nation risks a full-blown socioeconomic crisis. “We cannot continue to demand patriotism from a workforce that is starving. Hope without action is not a strategy.”
In response, representatives of the Federal Government acknowledged the legitimate grievances of the workers and promised to "prioritize labour-friendly policies." However, the NLC remains skeptical, citing a pattern of delayed implementation and half-hearted reforms.
“What Nigerian workers need is not another committee or empty dialogue, but tangible results,” Ajaero insisted.
Despite the challenges, May Day was marked with colourful rallies, cultural displays, and speeches across states, showcasing the unbroken spirit of Nigerian workers. From Lagos to Kano, Enugu to Port Harcourt, workers donned union colours, marching not just for themselves but for the generations to come.
In a nation struggling to balance economic reform with social equity, the NLC’s May Day message is clear: If Nigeria is to rise, its workers must not be left behind.
