By Matthew Denis
The hum of Workers’ Day celebrations in Abuja on Friday, May 1, 2026, was edged with frustration. Beyond the parades and placards, labour leaders painted a stark picture: rising insecurity, deepening poverty, and a shrinking pool of decent jobs are strangling both workers’ welfare and Nigeria’s productivity.
‘No decent job without safety’
Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero told the gathering that insecurity and poverty have become the twin walls boxing millions of Nigerians out of dignified work.
“If we remove insecurity today, you see that there will be food everywhere. People will go back to their farms. You don’t even need the government to bring any cover. People will be free to move from one place to another to sell,” Ajaero said.
He argued that decent work is not just about government employment but about what workers take home. Yet that take-home is under siege. Nearly 90% of jobs in Nigeria are now in the informal sector, he noted, where pensions, job security, and basic conditions of service are largely absent.
“If there is poverty, if there is insecurity, in most cases you don’t even have a job, let alone having a decent job,” he said.
Still, Ajaero commended the Federal Government for reintroducing gratuity payments, saying workers deserve dignity after retirement.
*Solidarity as strategy*
Trade Union Congress President Festus Osifo echoed the call, urging stronger solidarity among workers and stakeholders to fight poverty and insecurity. For Nigerian workers, he insisted, decent work is “a must” and “not negotiable.”
“While calling for greater solidarity and cooperation towards the eradication of poverty and insecurity in our workplaces, in particular, and Nigeria in general, decent work is a must for Nigerian workers and is not negotiable,” Osifo said.
*A threat to productivity*
Keynote speaker Prof. Kunle Olawunmi, a scholar of international relations and strategic studies, framed poverty and insecurity as direct threats to labour productivity, governance, and national stability.
“Nigeria cannot build a productive economy on frightened communities, hungry households, underpaid workers and displaced citizens,” he warned.
NUJ Chair calls for Journalists safety
The Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Grace Ike while speaking on this year’s theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” stressed that is both timely and deeply reflective of the realities confronting workers across the nation. It underscores the urgent need to address the twin challenges of insecurity and economic hardship, which continue to undermine productivity, threaten livelihoods, and erode the dignity of labour.
According to her in FCT, journalists and media professionals operate within this complex environment, often facing safety risks while striving to inform, educate, and hold power to account.
” I commend members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council for their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism despite these challenges.
“The persistence of insecurity not only endangers lives but also restricts access to information and hampers the ability of journalists to perform their duties effectively. At the same time, poverty and rising economic pressures continue to affect the welfare, morale, and overall well-being of workers. These issues must be addressed with deliberate and sustained action.
“I call on government at all levels to intensify efforts towards improving national security and implementing policies that directly alleviate poverty. Ensuring a safe working environment and providing economic opportunities are fundamental to achieving decent work for all Nigerians.”
The Chairman called on media organisations and employers within the FCT must also play their part by prioritising the welfare of journalists through fair remuneration, improved working conditions, insurance coverage, and access to continuous professional development. The protection and motivation of workers remain critical to national progress.
“As a union, we must strengthen our solidarity and continue to advocate for the rights, safety, and dignity of our members. Let us remain united in our pursuit of professionalism, accountability, and excellence, while using our platforms to highlight issues that affect workers and society at large.
*Government responds with reforms, welfare*
From the civil service side, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Esther Walson-Jack acknowledged the strain but pointed to reforms underway. In her 2026 Workers’ Day message, she praised civil servants for their resilience and central role in governance — from policy formulation to healthcare, education, and infrastructure support.
She said ongoing reforms are driving digitalisation, innovation, performance management, and continuous learning to build a more efficient, citizen-centred service.
Walson-Jack credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for prioritising civil servants’ welfare. Recent interventions include the Exit Benefit Scheme for retirees under the contributory pension scheme, the Employee Compensation Scheme for work-related risks, and an upward review of duty tour allowances, estacode, and book allowance. Government has also approved a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme for workers.
“These interventions have strengthened morale and enhanced productivity across the Civil Service,” she said.
But she was clear that reforms and welfare must be matched with performance. “This is not a time for complacency but for measurable results,” Walson-Jack told workers, urging greater professionalism, accountability, and integrity. “Nigeria’s progress depends on a competent, ethical, and effective civil service.”
President Ahmed Tinubu reassured the organised labour that the government will continue to prioritize their welfare for better service delivery in the country.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume emphasized that Key measures already approved include the Exit Benefit Scheme for retirees under the contributory pension scheme, the Employee Compensation Scheme for work-related risks, and an upward review of allowances such as duty tour allowances, estacode, and book allowance. The government has also rolled out a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme to support workers.
Officials say the interventions are designed to strengthen morale and enhance service delivery, with civil servants described as central to policy formulation, healthcare, education, and infrastructure support nationwide.
*The road ahead*
For labour, the equation is simple: security and poverty reduction unlock decent work; decent work drives productivity. For government, the push is to pair welfare with accountability and reform.
Between the two lies the Nigerian worker — farming under threat, trading amid risk, retiring without a safety net, or serving long hours in public offices. On Workers’ Day 2026, their message was unified: without safety, without pay that meets needs, there is no dignity in labour. And without dignity in labour, national growth stalls.
