Insecurity Tops Agenda as Nigerian Workers Mark 26th May Day — Labour Leaders Demand Urgent Action, Living Wage

By Onwe Wisdom, Pan Afric Reporters 

ABUJA, Nigeria — As Nigerian workers commemorate the 26th Workers’ Day, labour leaders have identified worsening insecurity as the country’s most urgent and existential threat, warning that no meaningful economic progress can be achieved without safeguarding lives.

Speaking during the May Day engagement, the leadership of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Comr.( Engr) s Festus Osifo tressed that the persistent wave of killings across the country has reached alarming proportions, demanding immediate and decisive government intervention.

“The greatest challenge we face today as a country is the level of insecurity. Farmers are killed on their farms, people are slaughtered in their homes. Life comes first—if people are not alive, there is no economy to talk about,” the labour leader said.

The TUC noted that it has consistently urged government to prioritize security above all else, including reallocating funds from infrastructure budgets to acquire modern security technology and equipment capable of tackling the crisis.

“Even if it means reducing budgetary allocations to some ministries or infrastructure, government must invest in state-of-the-art technology to curb insecurity,” he added.

Workers’ Welfare and ‘Take-Home Pay’ Crisis

Beyond insecurity, the labour body highlighted the deteriorating welfare of Nigerian workers, describing current earnings as grossly inadequate amid rising living costs.

“Take-home pay no longer takes workers home,” the TUC leader declared, reaffirming the union’s push for an upward review of the national minimum wage.

While acknowledging that a statutory wage review is expected next year, the union called for immediate interim relief through wage awards, particularly for public sector workers.

Private Sector Gains, Public Sector Struggles

The TUC revealed that progress has been recorded in the private sector through collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), with over 500 agreements signed since the last May Day.

“Just last week alone, we signed over 10 CBAs, and even as late as 2 a.m. yesterday, I was at a company witnessing another agreement. Our affiliates are working daily to secure better conditions for workers,” he said.

However, the union expressed concern that similar progress has not been achieved in the public sector, where negotiations remain more complex and slower.

Naira Value Central to Economic Stability

Labour leaders also emphasized that wage increases alone will not solve workers’ challenges without addressing the declining value of the naira.

Referencing previous engagements with government, including a 15-point proposal submitted in 2024, the TUC noted some improvements in exchange rate stability but insisted that more decisive action is needed.

“It’s not just about increasing salaries. If the naira remains weak, even a million-naira minimum wage could be worthless. The value of our currency is critical,” the leader explained.

The union argued that strengthening the naira to below ₦1,000 per dollar—ideally around ₦800—would significantly reduce the cost of essential commodities such as fuel, gas, and aviation fuel, thereby easing the burden on citizens.

Call for Strategic Government Action

The TUC reaffirmed its willingness to collaborate with government while maintaining pressure for reforms that prioritize security, economic stability, and workers’ welfare.

“We are committed to partnering with government, but they must do the needful. Nigerians deserve to live, work, and earn a dignified living,” he concluded.