Labour leaders have raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity, poverty and the shrinking space for decent work in Nigeria. They warned that worsening economic conditions were undermining workers’ welfare and national productivity.
The concerns were expressed at the pre-May Day lecture convened by organised labour in Abuja, ahead of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration. A copy of the transcript was made available to our correspondent on Thursday night.
The NLC president lamented that nearly 90 per cent of jobs in Nigeria were now in the informal sector, where workers lacked pensions, job security and decent conditions of service.
He, however, commended the Federal Government for reintroducing gratuity payments, saying workers deserved dignity after retirement. Ajaero said, “If there is poverty, if there is insecurity, in most cases you don’t even have a job, let alone having a decent job.
“The issue of decent jobs is not about getting employment from the government. It’s all about what you take home.” The President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, called for stronger solidarity among workers and stakeholders to combat poverty and insecurity.
He said decent work remained non-negotiable for Nigerian workers and urged greater cooperation towards improving working conditions nationwide.
He said, “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.”
The NLC president lamented that nearly 90 per cent of jobs in Nigeria were now in the informal sector, where workers lacked pensions, job security and decent conditions of service.
He, however, commended the Federal Government for reintroducing gratuity payments, saying workers deserved dignity after retirement. Ajaero said, “If there is poverty, if there is insecurity, in most cases you don’t even have a job, let alone having a decent job.
“The issue of decent jobs is not about getting employment from the government. It’s all about what you take home.” The President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo, called for stronger solidarity among workers and stakeholders to combat poverty and insecurity.
He said decent work remained non-negotiable for Nigerian workers and urged greater cooperation towards improving working conditions nationwide.
He said, “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.”