President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies, describing them as serious threats to jobs, productivity, and overall national stability.
The President made this known in his goodwill message to workers during the May Day celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Tinubu stressed that the twin challenges of insecurity and poverty continue to weaken livelihoods and undermine economic confidence. “There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives or where wages cannot feed a family,” he stated.
Aligning his message with the global agenda of the International Labour Organisation, the President said decent work must remain a national priority. He highlighted several government initiatives aimed at tackling insecurity while boosting employment. According to him, the Community Protection Guards Initiative has created jobs for about 45,000 young Nigerians.
He also noted that the expanded cash transfer programme under his Renewed Hope Agenda has reached approximately 15 million vulnerable households, helping lift an estimated 7.5 million people out of poverty.
Tinubu said major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, have generated over 600,000 jobs nationwide. He added that agricultural initiatives such as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme, dry-season farming, mechanisation programmes, and improved post-harvest systems are strengthening food security and rural employment.
The deployment of 10,000 Agro-Rangers by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps across 19 states, he said, is helping protect farmers and agricultural investments.
Workers’ welfare and reforms
On labour welfare, the President highlighted the implementation of a new national minimum wage, clearance of pension arrears, and the reintroduction of gratuity payments from January 2026. He added that over 800,000 informal workers have been enrolled in the micro pension scheme, while small businesses are benefiting from a ₦200 billion support fund for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Tinubu urged labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), to prioritise dialogue over industrial action. “Strike should be the last resort, not the first”, he advised.
In a separate message, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyaɗi, described Nigerian workers as the backbone of the nation. He acknowledged ongoing challenges such as rising living costs and insecurity but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to wage reforms and job creation.
