Today, Nigerian workers across the country took to the streets to mark this year’s Workers’ Day under the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship.” But beyond the parades and solidarity songs lies a deeper truth—one of frustration, exhaustion, and a desperate cry for survival in an economy many believe has failed them.
In Lagos, 37-year-old bank security staff, Remi Adedayo, adjusted his uniform under the sweltering heat at the parade ground and spoke with a wearied tone:
“What is there to celebrate? We’re earning peanuts, yet paying triple the cost for food, rent, and transportation. This minimum wage can’t feed a family for two weeks.”
His sentiment echoes across the country. Since the federal government removed fuel subsidy and floated the naira in 2023, inflation has skyrocketed. The National Bureau of Statistics pegs the inflation rate at 23.18% as of March 2025, while food inflation sits at a staggering 40.01%.
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a ₦70,000 minimum wage, only 17 states have implemented it, according to BudgIT. Many private sector employers claim they cannot afford it, citing rising operational costs.
“You go to the market with ₦10,000 and return with just garri and oil,” said Mrs. Ozioma Agu, a teacher in Enugu.
“Even those of us employed are living like beggars. What about the unemployed?”
Yet, government officials took a more celebratory tone.
“Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of Nigerian workers,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said in a statement.
“You remain the backbone of our economy… I salute your unwavering commitment to excellence and productivity.”
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First Lady Remi Tinubu echoed the sentiment, acknowledging workers across both public and informal sectors:
“Nigerian workers remain the backbone of our development and the driving force behind our nation’s progress,” she said.
But for labour unions, the day wasn’t for fanfare. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) directed a rally in Rivers State, demanding the restoration of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and condemning what it called the “subversion of democratic governance.”
In Kano, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Abbas Ibrahim, said bluntly:
“Workers need improved salaries. Government must stop paying lip service to our plight.”
At Eagle Square in Abuja, the usual enthusiasm was dampened by the weight of economic stress.
“We’re simply enduring,” said Bilikisu Lawal, a civil servant.
“For how long, we don’t know. But we’re tired.”
As Nigeria’s workforce marks another May Day, their voices rise louder than speeches and parades: calling for dignity, demanding justice, and dreaming of a better tomorrow.