Nigerian workers today joined their counterparts worldwide to mark International Workers’ Day amid growing anxiety over worsening economic conditions, insecurity and declining living standards.
Across sectors from factories and farms to offices and informal markets workers said rising inflation, soaring food prices, high transport fares and energy costs have continued to erode wages, leaving many struggling to meet basic needs.
Labour leaders warned that the situation has turned what is traditionally a day of celebration into a moment of reflection and concern, as millions grapple with poverty and uncertainty.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, lamented the combined impact of insecurity, inflation and currency devaluation on workers’ welfare.
“Unless insecurity and poverty are urgently addressed, the nation will continue to struggle with rising unemployment and the collapse of decent jobs,” Ajaero said.
“About 90 per cent of jobs in Nigeria are in the informal sector, where workers lack security, pensions and decent conditions.”
He added that the steady disappearance of decent jobs across industries is worsening inequality and deepening poverty.
“If insecurity is tackled, farmers will return to their farms, food production will improve, and jobs will expand,” he stated.
Similarly, the Acting General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Dominic Igwebike, highlighted the harsh realities faced by electricity workers, including job insecurity, poor working conditions and threats to personal safety.
“Nigerian electricity workers are facing various economic challenges manifesting in arbitrary sackings, salary stagnation, insecurity and unsafe work environments,” he said.
“Our linemen and technicians are threatened daily by kidnappers and bandits, while distribution engineers are beaten by hoodlums and community youths.”
Igwebike noted that attacks on critical infrastructure, including transmission lines and substations, have further exposed workers to life-threatening risks.
“No worker should have to choose between earning a living and staying alive,” he added.
He also decried the deepening poverty among workers, saying inflation and stagnant wages have significantly reduced the value of labour.
“Decent work defined by fair wages, safe conditions and dignity is gradually slipping out of reach for too many,” he said.
Earlier, at a pre-May Day lecture organised by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), development expert Toyin Olawunmi warned that rising insecurity and poverty could push Nigeria toward a critical tipping point.
“Nigeria cannot build decent work on frightened communities, hungry households, collapsing purchasing power and weak public institutions,” Olawunmi said.
He described insecurity as not only a security challenge but a major economic threat, noting that disruptions to farming, trade and essential services have far-reaching consequences for national productivity.
According to him, many workers are now battling multiple pressures, including rising costs of transport, energy, healthcare and the psychological strain of uncertainty.
As parades and speeches marked the day, many workers said the celebrations masked a harsher reality, with calls mounting for urgent government action to stabilise the economy, improve security and restore the dignity of labour.