Amid poverty and hunger in the country, millions of Nigerian workers, today trooped out to mark this year’s International Workers’ Day.
May 1, is set aside every year as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, to celebrate workers across the world for their hard work, dedication, and their invaluable contributions to the development of their nations.
In Nigeria, despite the worsening insecurity, economic hardship and rising costs of living, the workers were beautifully dressed in different attires to celebrate the day, reflecting their resilience and patriotism.
At the Eagle Square in Abuja on Friday, the workers drawn from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, together with Organised Labour, led by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) represented perfectly.
Despite the challenges, the workers refused to put up gloomy faces, often characterized by a downward-turned mouth, furrowed brows, and disheveled, as they were seen smiling to the cameras stationed around the square to capture the moment.
In his message of hope, President Bola Tinubu assured the workers that the administration is not unaware of the economic and security challenges confronting them, stating that his government is employing a coordinated and sustainable approach to resolving them.
He said that in addressing the rising waves of insecurity in the country, the Federal Government has launched the Community Protection Guards Initiative, in partnership with state governments, and has trained over 45,000 Forest Guards drawn from seven frontline states, to protect communities .
President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, said the Forest Guards have been gainfully employed, indicating that the administration is creating decent jobs, against the backdrop that security and employment must go hand in hand to make the required positive impact.
He said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” also resonates with the priority of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration, as it relates to the protection of lives and property. Pulling Nigerians out of poverty, inclusivity and empowerment.
“There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives, where wages cannot feed a family, or where insecurity disrupts farms, factories, markets, and other economic activities.
“These hydra-headed challenges have been treated as a national emergency due to their impact on productivity, livelihoods, and the confidence of both workers and employers.
“The administration also acknowledged that insecurity and poverty remain major obstacles to building a peaceful Nigeria where citizens can “sleep with their eyes closed,” he said.
President Tinubu said efforts are being made to change the narrative.
He listed the National Cash Transfer programme, New National Minimum Wage and reintroduced gratuity payments from January 2026, Jobs creation through infrastructure, especially the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano, which he said have created over 60,000 jobs, as some of the achievements recorded under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He called on organised labour to always seek dialogue, instead of industrial action, in resolving industrial disputes.
