According to a report by the Punch on Friday, May 1, 2026, labour leaders in Nigeria have raised serious concerns over worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, and the growing decline in decent employment opportunities across the country, warning that the situation is negatively affecting workers’ welfare and national productivity.
The concerns were expressed during a pre-May Day lecture organised by labour unions in Abuja ahead of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration. Speakers at the event stressed that rising insecurity and economic hardship have continued to make life difficult for millions of Nigerians, especially workers struggling with unstable incomes and poor working conditions.
President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, said insecurity has become one of the biggest obstacles to economic growth and food production, noting that many farmers can no longer safely access their farmlands due to violence and fear in several parts of the country.
Highlighting the connection between insecurity and food shortages, Ajaero stated: “If we remove insecurity today, you see that there will be food everywhere”
He explained that improved security would allow farmers to return to their farms and enable traders to move freely across communities without fear, which would in turn improve food supply and economic activities nationwide.
The labour leader also lamented the growing dominance of informal jobs in Nigeria, saying many workers now operate without pensions, job security, or proper welfare protections. According to him, poverty and insecurity have made decent work increasingly difficult to achieve for ordinary Nigerians.
President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, also called for stronger collaboration among workers, government institutions, and other stakeholders to tackle insecurity and poverty. He maintained that decent work and improved conditions of service must remain a priority for Nigerian workers.
Meanwhile, Professor Kunle Olawunmi, who delivered the keynote lecture, warned that insecurity and poverty are directly undermining productivity, governance, and national stability. He stressed that no country can build a strong economy while communities remain unsafe and citizens continue to face hunger and displacement.
The May Day discussions also reflected divisions within the Edo State chapter of the NLC, where rival factions disagreed over plans for the Workers’ Day celebration. While one faction called for workers to stay away in protest over labour issues in the state, another group backed by the state government insisted the celebration would proceed as planned at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City…….See More
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