Workers’ Day: Labour makes fresh demands

Millions of workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, yesterday called on the federal government and some state governments to review some of their fresh demands over the current situation of workers in the country. The issues they raised ranged from the electricity crisis in the country despite high […]

Millions of workers under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, yesterday called on the federal government and some state governments to review some of their fresh demands over the current situation of workers in the country.

The issues they raised ranged from the electricity crisis in the country despite high tariffs, rising cost of living, insecurity, growing unemployment, exorbitant telecoms tariffs, poor conditions of service at various places, undemocratic rule in Rivers State, among others.

 

Seeks 65-year retirement age

Specifically, they called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emulate his predecessor and raise the retirement age of all categories of workers to 65 years the way former President Buhari raised teachers, judges and health professionals’ retirement age.

They also called on the federal government to begin immediate review of salaries of workers across boards, saying the present N70,000 minimum wage cannot sustain them in the face of economic hardship occasioned by rising cost of living in the country.

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Daily Trust reports that teachers, under the employment of the government at all levels are already enjoying the implementation of a new retirement age, an Act signed into law by the former president Buhari.

On Thursday, President Tinubu told the workers to remain patient with his administration regarding their different demands in the face of economic hardship facing the country, saying it is a “global phenomenon”.

The workers, led by the Presidents of NLC and TUC, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo respectively, also lampooned the government for taking some of the past workers’ demands for granted, particularly returning of democratic governance to Rivers State.

Tinubu, who was represented by the minister of Labour and Employment and the labour leaders spoke at Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of 2025 May Day with the theme: “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship”.

 

No workers’ day celebration in Rivers, Edo

While the 2025 workers’ day celebration was held across 34 states and the FCT, our correspondent gathered that workers boycotted the annual May Day Celebration, which is held yearly at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elemahia, in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The workers and members of the NLC, however, converged on the Congress’ Secretariat in D-Line, Port Harcourt and demanded the reinstatement of the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Dr Ngozi Odu and members of the state’s House of Assembly.

The congress, through the State NLC Chairman, Alex Agwanwor, while addressing workers at the secretariat, vowed to continue fighting for democracy, pointing out that workers in the state enjoy a good working relationship and conditions under a democratic system.

Earlier on Sunday, the national leadership of the NLC had announced the cancellation of centralised May Day celebrations in Rivers and Edo states, citing the imposition of emergency rule in Rivers and alleged political interference in the affairs of its Edo State council.

 

Economic justice, insecurity, others take centre stage

Central to their demands was a clear call for economic justice. Ajaero highlighted the urgent need for salary adjustments that reflect current economic realities, insisting that workers cannot continue to bear the brunt of inflation, rising costs, and policy failures.

They also criticised the existing PAYEE tax system, questioning the government on what exactly is being taxed and demanding transparency in how these deductions are calculated and applied.

The labour centres further rejected the Tax Bills currently before the National Assembly, stating that these legislative moves have excluded the voices of Nigerian workers.

They insisted that workers must have a seat at the table during the formulation of tax policies that will directly affect them.

They also pushed for the immediate implementation of an agreed reduction in telecommunications tariffs from 50% to 35%, a promise they said has yet to materialise while expressing frustration with the continued prioritisation of corporate profits over the survival of the ordinary Nigerian.

They called for reforms that would shift focus toward the people, essential services such as energy, infrastructure, and public utilities, emphasising that they must be oriented toward serving the public interest rather than private gains.

In line with this, they reiterated their longstanding demand for a comprehensive review, with the ultimate aim of a reversal of the Electricity Sector Privatisation, which they argued has failed to improve service delivery while deepening economic hardship for consumers.

 

Electoral reforms ahead of 2027

On matters of governance, they demanded democratic accountability, transparency, and urgent electoral reforms.

The labour bodies condemned what they described as a sustained suppression of civic space and dissent, calling on both federal and state governments to stop actions that erode citizens’ rights and instead work to strengthen democratic norms.

 

Security

Security was also a major theme in their speech. They called for an immediate end to the widespread killings and bloodshed across the country, labelling the violence as genocidal and intolerable.

They expressed concern over the safety of Nigerian workers, both within their workplaces and in the general environment, urging the government to prioritise the protection of lives.

The rights and welfare of workers took centre stage as they called for improved working conditions, including safe workplaces, the right to organise freely, and protection from both state and employer intimidation or violence.

They demanded the immediate settlement of all outstanding allowances, pensions, and gratuities across the country, stressing that retired public servants, who devoted decades to national service, deserve a dignified and secure retirement.

 

Tinubu speaks

Tinubu, who spoke through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said he’s aware that Nigerians, especially workers are facing rising costs of living, hunger, insecurity and unemployment.

He also said he’s aware that some workers are losing their means of livelihood and the pressure to provide necessities for their families, saying he’s poised to address all the aforementioned challenges as soon as possible.

 

Taraba teachers, LG workers groan over unpaid salary arrears

The state  chairman of the  NLC in Taraba, Comrade Peter Jediel called on the governor to implement staff promotion for local government workers which was stopped in 2006.

He also  called  on the governor  to consider the issue of lack of pension for the staff of Taraba State University and pay six months arrears of local government workers and four months arrears for primary schools teachers.

The chairman also demanded that the governor should allocate more funds for the payment of teachers and local government council workers pension and gratuities as well as to enroll staff of Taraba State University into pension schemes.

In response, the Head of Service in the state Dr Ahmed Kara lauded the labour in the state for maintaining cordial relationship with the state government.

 

NLC decries casualization in Kano schools, hospitals, salary fraud

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the NLC in Kano State, Comrade Kabiru Inuwa, has raised the alarm over the growing trend of labour casualization in critical sectors such as education and healthcare, describing it as a major challenge affecting service delivery and the welfare of workers.

Inuwa, who spoke at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano during the May Day celebration, said the practice of hiring casual workers in schools and hospitals, poses a serious threat to societal development and public health.

The NLC chairman also addressed recent reports of fraud involving salaries of retired local government workers, while dismissing claims that ghost workers are deliberately maintained on the payroll by unions or labour leaders, and blamed the anomaly on bureaucratic lapses in retirement processing.

In his address, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf acknowledged the pivotal role of the labour force in governance and development, and reaffirmed Kano’s historical significance in Nigeria’s labour movement.

 

FG not sincere on provision of  electricity – Bauchi NLC

On its part, Bauchi State Council of NLC berated the federal government’s plans to spend over N10 billion to provide solar power to the Aso Villa, saying the decision is a clear pointer that the government could no longer provide electricity to the nation.

The congress also lamented that the North East region is schemed out from the federal government policy of providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion centers,  refueling stations and  training hubs to  support services across the States and geo-political zones, saying there is none provided for the region.

NLC State Chairman, Comrade Dauda M. Shuaibu, said, “We are calling on the federal goverment in the spirit of fairness and equity to urgently consider the North-East region in the provision of CNG buses and Stations to ease the huge cost of transport and logistics among our people.”

 

Our promotions not cash-backed – Kogi workers

On their part, workers in Kogi State called on President Tinubu to prevail on the state government to implement outstanding promotion of workers with cash-back, claiming that it was up to six years in some cases where promotions have not been cash-backed.

The state chairman of NLC, Comrade Gabriel  Amari, alongside his TUC counterpart Sani Ahmed Tijani, disclosed this in Lokoja on Thursday in his speech to mark this year’s workers’ day  celebration.

Governor Ahmed Ododo commended the organised labour for their cooperation in his attempt to tend the state to an enviable height, stressing all their  requests will be  treated fairly  that will better the lives of the workers and citizens.

 

Gombe yet to implement N70,000 minimum wage for LG workers

Similarly, the Gombe State Council of the NLC called on Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to immediately implement the N70,000 minimum wage for local government workers in the state.

The state Chairman of the congress, Comrade Yusuf Aish Bell, at the Gombe Township Stadium said the effective implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for local government workers is essential, as it is their rightful entitlement.

 

Alia promises better welfare

In a dramatic turn of events, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, urged civil servants across the state to support his re-election bid in 2027, warning against what he described as “mathematical mistake” of not allowing his administration to continue its pro-labour policies.

While speaking at the IBB Square in Makurdi, Alia applauded workers as the backbone of his government’s efforts to rebuild Benue, saying his administration has been addressing the deep-seated challenges inherited from past governments, particularly those affecting the welfare of workers.

In his remarks, the State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Terungwa Igbe, called on the government to address the lingering salary arrears from 2017.

 

Jigawa

In Jigawa State, Governor Umar Namadi, while speaking at the Mallam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, the state capital described workers as the engine room of the nation.

 

Kebbi raises retirement years for teachers to 40

Also, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State advised workers to be more committed in the discharge of their duties for his administration to succeed in its effort of building a state where workers can flourish and their hope and aspirations can be fulfilled.

“My administration has just completed an ultra modern secretariat for the benefit of the state workers. We were among the first states to implement and pay the N75,000 minimum wage to civil servants in Kebbi State. We pay their gratuity and pension and ensure that all their welfares are taken care of,” he said.

 

Adamawa sets up committee to address salary disparities

The Adamawa State Government has established a joint committee to address salary disparities affecting 11 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that have not benefited from the recent wage increase.

 

Kaduna workers want moribund textile company resuscitated

In the meantime, the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) has appealed to the newly inaugurated Textile and Garment Development Board to reposition the sector for global competitiveness.

The workers made the appeal through their President and General Secretary, Peters Godonu and Ali Baba respectively.

 

Labour wants FG to increase Lagos allocation

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Council of the NLC has urged the federal government to increase the state’s allocation to cater for its high population.

The state Chairman of NLC, Mrs Funmi Sessi, made the call at the Workers Day celebrations held on Thursday at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos State.

 

We want improved welfare, living conditions – Bayelsa workers

Similarly, labour unions in Bayelsa State urged the governments to ensure improved working welfare and living conditions for workers in the state.

Speaking at the event at the Peace Park in Yenagoa to mark the 2025 Workers’ Day, the state chapters of the NLC and TUC, in a joint address, noted that workers continue to face challenges of poor remuneration and welfare despite years of struggles for living wages.

 

Value of minimum wage eroded, Ekiti workers tell Oyebanji

In his speech at Ekiti Parapo pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, the TUC chairman in Ekiti State, Comrade Sola Adigun, said  the value of the minimum wage has been eroded by over 60 percent due to inflation, saying that inflation stands at 33.2 percent as at March this year, urging government to solve the people’s plight.

 

Ondo workers demand implementation of price control board 

Meanwhile, the NLC in Ondo State called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to implement a price control system in checkmating the costs of goods and services in the state.

 

Edo adds N5,000 to minimum wage

Earlier yesterday, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, increased the state minimum wage from N70,000 to N75 000 for Edo State workers.

Okpebholo who made the announcement in Benin City, despite workers boycotting the celebration in the State, said the increment was  to further improve the standard of living of the state workers.

 

Plateau

Meanwhile, the Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, said beyond N70,000 minimum wage implementation, his administration has improved workers’ welfare in several ways.

 

Reports by Idowu Isamotu, Baba Martins (Abuja), Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano), Tosin Tope (Akure), Hope Abah (Makurdi), Umar Muhammed (Lafia),  Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe), Ismail Adebayo (Birnin Kebbi), Magaji Isa Hunkuyi (Jalingo), Hassan Ibrahim (Bauchi), Ali Rabi’u Ali (Dutse), Maryam Ahmadu-Suka (Kaduna),  Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), Tijani Labaran (Lokoja), Dickson S. Adama (Jos), Usman A. Bello (Benin),  Amina Abdullahi (Yola) &  Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado-Ekiti)