May Day 2026: Nigerian Workers Decry Hardship, Demand Urgent Reforms
By Raphael Ekpang
Nigerian workers have expressed deep dissatisfaction with prevailing economic conditions, citing poor wages, insecurity and declining welfare as major concerns as the country marked International Workers’ Day.
Speaking during the May Day event in Abuja on Friday, the National Vice Chairman (North Central) of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, Gad Jerry, said while the day is globally recognised as a time to celebrate workers, it also provides an opportunity to demand accountability from the government and advocate improved working conditions.
He said it would be misleading to suggest that Nigerian workers are satisfied under current conditions. “Given the current economic realities, Nigerian workers are not happy. The government must urgently formulate policies that will guarantee fair wages and improved welfare. Workers need an environment where they can grow and build sustainable careers,” he said.
He further described the current minimum wage as grossly inadequate, noting that it falls far below workers’ expectations and is increasingly outpaced by the rising cost of living.
Security also featured prominently among the concerns raised. Jerry warned that without adequate security across the country, economic activities—particularly farming—would continue to suffer, potentially worsening food shortages nationwide.
“Insecurity has made it difficult for workers to operate without fear. Farmers cannot access their land, and this has serious implications for food production and national stability,” he added.
Echoing similar concerns, Harrison Ugochukwu Asonye, President-General of the Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies, described the current minimum wage as insufficient to meet basic needs.
“The current minimum wage is nothing to write home about. It cannot even sustain basic expenses. Nigerian workers are not enjoying the benefits of their labour,” he said.
This year’s May Day theme, which focuses on insecurity, poverty and the challenges of decent work, reflects the harsh realities confronting workers across the country. Labour leaders said the theme is not merely symbolic but a true reflection of the daily struggles faced by Nigerian workers.
They jointly called on the Federal Government to take swift and decisive action to address insecurity, stabilise the economy and implement policies that will improve workers’ welfare.
As Nigerian workers join their counterparts around the world to mark International Workers’ Day, the message remains clear: meaningful reforms are urgently needed to restore dignity, safety and economic stability in the workplace.
