President Bola Tinubu has declared a national emergency on poverty and insecurity to address the deepening socio-economic challenges facing the country.
He made this declaration on Friday, May 1, 2026, during the International Workers’ Day celebrations in Abuja.
The President was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
During the address, he acknowledged that safety and financial hardship are significant obstacles to national progress.
Tinubu aligned his message with the Decent Work Agenda championed by the International Labour Organisation. He argued that productivity cannot thrive where workers live in constant fear for their lives.
“There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives, where wages cannot feed a family, or where insecurity disrupts farms, factories, and markets,” the President stated.
Labour Issues 2027 Charter of Demands
In response, the two primary labour centres, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), issued a stern warning to the political class.
They insisted they will only cooperate with parties that commit to their charter of demands.
NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo lamented that recent policies have achieved narrow technical targets at the expense of the Nigerian worker.
They expressed serious worries over soaring inflation and structural weaknesses in the economy.
“What is urgently required is a shift toward a production-driven economic strategy; one that prioritizes domestic industry, supports agriculture, and provides affordable credit,” the labour leaders said.
They also requested that the government urgently address outstanding demands of non-teaching staff in federal tertiary institutions.
Labour insisted that true stability is reflected in secure jobs and rising wages, not just capital inflows.
Security and Infrastructure Interventions
To combat the alleged surge in crime, Tinubu referenced the launch of the Community Protection Guards Initiative.
This programme is said to have recruited over 45,000 young Nigerians to secure local communities alongside traditional security frameworks.
Furthermore, the government has deployed 10,000 Agro-Rangers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to 19 states. This deployment intends to protect farmers and farm produce from banditry and kidnapping.
The President also highlighted legacy projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline.
According to the administration, these infrastructures have generated over 600,000 jobs for engineers and labourers.
“Through targeted interventions in agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and skill acquisition, we are laying a solid foundation for inclusive growth,” Tinubu added via his representative.
He also mentioned that the Presidential CNG Initiative has converted over 100,000 commercial vehicles. This technology has allegedly cut transportation costs for workers by 40%.
Welfare Policies and Pension Reforms
Regarding financial relief, the administration reintroduced the payment of gratuity to Nigerian workers effective from January 2026. Tinubu stated that workers’ welfare remains a paramount priority despite the national emergency.
Furthermore, over 800,000 informal sector workers have been enrolled in the micro pension scheme.
Small businesses continue to benefit from a ₦200 billion MSME support fund which has allegedly kept over 1 million enterprises afloat.
Opposition leaders, however, remained critical of the government’s performance. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accused the administration of making life difficult through inept leadership.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi called for choosing leaders based on competence, and David Mark of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) promised a living wage. Tinubu appealed for restraint, noting that dialogue should always precede industrial action.
“Strike should be the last resort, not the first,” he said, calling for a future where decent work is a reality for all citizens.
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