A SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE PRESIDENTS OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC) – COMRADE JOE AJAERO AND TRADE UNION CONGRESS (TUC) – COMRADE FESTUS OSIFO AT THE 2025 MAY-DAY CELEBRATIONS HOLDING IN EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA
Protocols!
Comrades, Friends and fellow workers; We stand before you this day at a critical moment in our nation’s history. May-Day is not just a celebration of the toils and sacrifices of workers; it is a moment of truth—a time to speak out against injustice, demand our rights, and reaffirm our commitment to a just, equitable, and democratic Nigeria. It is a Day to speak freely to those who occupy public offices to lift the massive economic hardship from our shoulders and give our nation a chance to make progress.
Our theme for this year—”Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship”—captures the urgent need for Nigerian workers and all citizens to play active role in defending our democracy, pushing back against the forces of repression, and rebuilding our nation on the foundations of justice and equity. The civic space—the arena where we voice our concerns, challenge injustice, and demand accountability—is being systematically compressed. Policies are being made without workers’ input, protests are being met with brute force, and the rights to free speech and association are under constant assault. We are threatened because we are raising our voices against the various shades of Hardship; insecurity and indignities that we have had and continued to suffer.
Comrades, we cannot afford to stand aside. If we do not reclaim our civic space, if we do not actively engage, the pillars of our democracy will crumble, and our ability to rebuild a just society that will address the various scourges that have ravaged us as workers and as a people will be lost. Our quest for a global coalition for social justice may just be a mirage. Workers must stand together with all oppressed groups—youth, women, civil society, and progressive forces—to fight for the survival of our nation. In the midst of the raging Economic hardship, reclaiming the civic space becomes crucial in redirecting governance.
The challenges before us are immense. The forces of neoliberalism, privatization, and anti-worker policies continue to rear their ugly heads. But we must not be deterred. We must remember the words of Karl Marx, who reminded us that “the emancipation of the working class must be the act of the working class itself.” This is our task, comrades. We must unite, organize, and fight for a better future. We must reject division and embrace solidarity. We must reject fear and embrace courage. And we must reject despair and embrace hope. Our eyes must be open so that with all our hands on the plough, we can push back all the elements whose interests are unwittingly pushing our nation to another “Somalia”
The various indignities we suffer as working people. The various hardships we suffer because we chose to be the creators of the wealth of the society; the fear of the security of our jobs; the worries about earned incomes – whether they are able to secure food, housing and basic necessities of life for us; the scare over safe and secure work environment and generally our thoughts about those who are in the larger society that depend on us cannot be assuaged if we do not reclaim the civic space to address them. The civic space remains the key arena in a society like ours where we can all gather together, build the necessary strength to effectively interrogate the mindless powers whose interest it is, to hold us down at all times.
Today, we stand not just to celebrate labor but to reclaim our civic space, engage actively in shaping our future, and rebuild the structures of justice and equity that have been systematically dismantled. It is in doing this that we are able to address the various challenges we face as workers and as citizens of Nigeria. It is in this that we are able to overcome the current Economic hardship. It is a duty that has been irrevocably thrust upon us by the present nature and character of the state – a state that may unfortunately be preying on the citizens that it is supposed to protect. It is our duty to salvage what remains of our nation from the hands of those who have boxed themselves into helplessness unable to breakaway from the greed of the proclivities and perks of public offices.
This May Day, we declare unequivocally that the civic space belongs to the people! It is the public square where our voices must be heard, where our demands must be met, and where our struggles must translate into victories. We reject any attempt to silence, shrink, or suppress this space. Our right to organize, to mobilize, and to resist oppression is non-negotiable. In upholding these rights, we build a strong civic space that would form a robust platform for addressing the burden of massive hardship foisted on us by the state. We have fought too hard, for too long, to be cowered into submission.
The history of work is the history of struggle. From the fight for the eight-hour workday to the ongoing battles for living wages to reduce the increasing numbers of the working poor, safe workplaces, and social protection, workers have been at the forefront of every progressive change in society. Yet, despite our contributions, we face relentless attacks—on our rights, on our freedoms, and on our very existence as organized labor. They have come for our jobs, our unions, our collective bargaining power. They have tried to erode our dignity with precarious work, starvation wages, and anti-worker policies. But we are still here, unbowed and unbroken! We will still be here tomorrow!
Without workers, there is no society! Without labor, there is no development!
This May Day, we issue a clarion call to all workers: Engage! Organize! Mobilize! Take steps to address these Economic hardships. Now more than ever, we must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance. We must ensure that labor remains a formidable force in shaping national policies. We must push back against policies that enrich the elite while impoverishing the masses. We must resist policies that hike the cost of living while leaving wages stagnant. We must hold our leaders accountable for the suffering they inflict on the people!
In the midst of this excruciating hardship, we must rebuild our democracy from the ground up! Workers have always been at the center of societal transformation. We fought for independence. We fought against military dictatorship. We fought for democracy. And now, we must fight to rescue that democracy from the grip of deliberate abuse, repression, increasing alienation and exploitation.
Reclaiming civic space is to demand that government policies reflect the interests of the people, not the greed of a privileged few. It is to insist that governance be about building opportunities, not erecting barriers. It is to ensure that every worker, every citizen, has a voice in the decisions that shape their lives. Politicians cannot continue taking decisions without the involvement of the people. We cannot wait till our beloved nation lays prostrate before we take positive steps. Governance must be tied to the needs of the people and must be held completely accountable to the desires of the sovereign – the masses.
As we commemorate this day, we ask: where are the famed benefits of the increase in fuel prices? Where are the much talked about eldorado if electricity tariffs are hiked? Where are the fiscal and monetary benefits of devaluing the Naira? Where are the Taxes on everything leading the masses to in the midst of the continued borrowing that has become an achievement rather than a shame? These are the real questions, and the answers expose the true nature of governance which has foisted Economic hardship on our people.
THE STATE OF THE MOVEMENT
Comrades, we gather not merely as an assembly of unions, but as the living embodiment of a struggle—a struggle against the relentless forces that seek to grind us into dust. The Nigerian worker stands at crossroads, not just of national crisis, but of a global assault on labor. Capitalism, in its insatiable hunger, devours jobs, strips dignity from work, and widens the chasm of inequality. The state, which should be the guardian of justice, may have instead become the enforcer of exploitative and oppressive policies of the Bretton-wood institutions.
In the midst of these however, our movement remains the strongest and the most vibrant in the African continent. We have continued to ensure that we remain constantly united despite devious attempts to put a sword in our midst. We worked together to negotiate the National Minimum Wage and has stayed together in all of our engagements with the state. More workers especially in the informal economy are being organized into Unions. Our number is increasing, solidarity is enhanced thus more power is built for a more robust engagement with the objective realities that confront us both as workers and as the marginalized in the society. With the expanded membership base, we are now able to organize and mobilize better and effectively across the nation.
Yet, in this darkness, we find our purpose. The trade union movement was not born from comfort; it was forged in resistance. Our power does not come from the benevolence of the elite, but from the unity of the exploited. We must not forget in a hurry the struggle to get the state agree to pay N70,000 (Seventy thousand Naira) as National Minimum wage which is being implemented at the breach both by many state governments and the federal government. The struggle for the implementation of the national minimum wage is still on in many states and we must gird our loins to ensure that all states and the private sector comply with the Law even as we begin a push for a wage review beyond the national minimum Wage to alleviate the hardship.
To those who still doubt; the time for hesitation is over. Every worker must awaken to the truth that our liberation will not be gifted—it will be won. We must work not just for ourselves today but for the generation to come! The ruling class fears only one thing: our collective refusal to remain in servitude. Let us build a movement that does not just negotiate crumbs but demands a sizable portion of the bread which we have baked. We must remember that our brothers and sisters rather than succumb to servitude in slavery in faraway Georgia, United States decided to pay the supreme sacrifice – the courage to say NO is in all of us. Let us begin to say NO! No to Hunger! No! No to Poverty! No! No to Hardship! No! No to Impunity! No! No to Police Brutality! No! No to Bad Governance! No!
We must remember that we represent those who serve in silence; those who cry in silence, those who cannot speak for themselves and those who daily silently grind in poverty. We are their voice! We have the opportunity to speak for them and we must. It is our duty to do so and we cannot afford to keep silent. Our voices are not the enemy so we cannot afford to be afraid. The enemy of our nation is those who keep silent in the face of injustice; those who keep silent even as we are brutalized for speaking out; those who keep silent even as we are paid starvation wages and those who will never speak up because of the hope in promise! We must wield that voice!
THE STATE OF THE NATION:
Comrades, 2025 May Day celebration is holding at a time when our nation is beset by daunting challenges that threaten not only our democracy but the very fabric of our collective existence. The worsening ethnic tensions, the alarming state of insecurity, the unchecked impunity in governance, and the blatant disregard for constitutional and democratic principles have cast a dark shadow over our nation.
It is evident that when governments and their institutions implement policies that uphold the dignity, unity, and aspirations of the people, they strengthen democracy and reinforce governance structures. However, when they fail to do so, democracy is weakened, institutions become compromised, and crisis looms. The killings around the country; Uromi, Eha Amufu, Adani, Ondo, Owo, Zamfara, Bokkos and Riyom in Plateau State; Benue; Kebbi state and the unchecked kidnappings around the country continues to imperil our nation. It bears testimony to the failure of the government to perform its basic duty to its citizens who elected them into office. The number one duty of the federal government is to ensure the safety of lives and property. The government must step up and fulfill its constitutional obligations to the citizens instead of these constant lamentations.
As we speak, we hear of the emergence of new terrorist group named Mahmuda sect in Middle Belt. This calls for serious attention. We must approach the insecurity situation as a country in War.
The choices we make today will define our nation for generations to come. We must choose between facing the realities before us with courage and wisdom or continuing in denial while our country edges towards the abyss.
Warning signs and red flags are all over the place. If we do not address these systemic failures, we risk descending into a state where the rule of law is replaced by the rule of might, and where governance is determined not by democratic principles but by brute force.
Comrades, the time to act is now. Those who occupy positions of leadership must recognize that true leadership is about service, humility, and inclusivity. It is about building bridges, not walls. The future of our nation depends on their willingness to govern with a sense of justice and fairness. The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary must maintain their independence and act separately for the good of our nation.
As workers and as citizens, we must also remain vigilant and resolute in our demand for accountability. Our voices must not be silenced, and our resolve must not waver. We owe it to ourselves, to our children, and to the generations yet unborn to stand up for the values of democracy, equity, and justice. We fought for this democracy and paid the highest price to chase the military and their cohorts back to the barracks. Doing nothing should not be an option but calling for a constructive engagement and building the needed coalition to rid our nation of the malaise that have held it down is important. People are elected into public office to serve and not to plunder. Our nation and its people must be protected.
OUR NATION’S ECONOMY:
Comrades and Guests! The Nigerian economy is facing severe structural challenges, with deteriorating macroeconomic fundamentals negatively impacting workers, the real sector, and citizens’ welfare. Government’s policies have failed to address rising inflation, unemployment, exchange rate instability, and unfavourable GDP, leading to worsening living conditions for the masses. The numbers are not adding up and do not reflect the reality on the ground.
The truest performance measurement of any economy is the nature of citizens’ welfare and the economy’s capacity to continue providing such level of welfare now and in the future. Whatsoever statistics or numbers that does not demonstrate that the people are well off and are able to meet their basic needs now and in the future is sheer Juju and a waste of time. On this two basic test, the nation’s economy fails in significant ways in the last few years.
Nigerian workers and masses continue to suffer miserably because of the harsh economic realities while a stroll in the various streets across this nation bears the sad tale. Nigeria is still ranked 161 out of 193 nations sampled in Human Development Index (HDI) by UNDP classified amongst countries with low Human development. Number of persons living in absolute poverty in 2025 is about 115M while in multi-dimensional poverty has grown to nearly 175M; pre-rebased unemployment figure stands at 35% though the rebased figure is around 5.3%.
We observe that key macroeconomic Fundamentals are Negative with huge implications for lives and livelihood of Nigerians. Inflation rate surged to 33.69%, the highest in 28 years. Food Inflation 40.53%, driven by high fuel costs, insecurity in farming regions, and forex scarcity. The implication for us as workers is that real wages have collapsed as our purchasing power are continuously eroded, with the minimum wage of (₦70,000) now worth less than ₦15,000 in 2019 terms. Most of our families can no longer afford basic meals as a month’s salary cannot buy a bag of 50kg rice or beans, Corn and other basic items. World Bank has predicted increasing poverty in Nigeria. The same organisation that Nigeria panders to in driving economic policies. What this tells us is that even those supporting you are afraid of owning the outcome of their pieces of advice.
Underemployment stood at nearly 70% while NBS puts it at 12.6%, meaning that many workers are in low-paying, insecure jobs while Youth Unemployment is estimated at over 40% according to the World Bank. Same World Bank predicts worsening poverty and hardship amongst Nigerians as we head towards 2027.
Our economy therefore continues to experience mass job losses in manufacturing, agriculture, and SMEs due to high production costs driven by government economic policies. The real sectors which are any economy’s foundation are gasping for breath as Manufacturers struggle to import raw materials, unsold inventories continue to increase leading to factory shutdowns. About 60 multinational firms (e.g., GlaxoSmithKline, P&G) exited the economy between 2023 and now all due to harsh operating environment. There is no economy that can make progress without a strong domestic manufacturing base. How can you talk of job creation when the very entities that would provide the jobs are closing shops?
A nation that wallows in Power poverty suffers adversely and cannot be serious about development. Industries in Nigeria spend between 40-60% of costs on diesel due to poor electricity supply. Insecurity (banditry, Herder raids on farms) has contributed in reducing Agricultural output causing food crisis and forcing increasing food imports and a dependency on foreign food donors. According to 2023 report of Global Hunger Index, Nigeria was ranked 109th out of 125 and this has worsened since then. This should worry anybody talking about the Economy doing well.
The truth is that our economy is fiscally and monetarily challenged. Fiscal indiscipline amongst public office holders to the detriment of the economy exacerbates an already bad economy. CBN interest rate or MPR cannot stand at 27.5% and you expect industrialization to proceed unhindered. It will take only a miracle. Action must be taken to provide effective support for the real sectors to jump start the economy. Kowtowing to the wishes of Neoliberal driven Bretton-wood institutions (WB/IMF) will continue to recycle hardship in our nation. We have seen it over and over. It will not be any different this time. Recent events in Argentina should teach us a lesson if we are willing to learn.
The ongoing Tariff war sparked by President Trump’s imposition of severe tariff regime on all manners of imports into the US should remind those that run our economy of the severe imperfection of the neo-liberal model. We should learn the importance of developing a robust domestic economy to allow us the freedom to control our destiny especially when the ones that are preaching trade liberalization to us are now leading trade wars which is counter to trade.
Deliberate steps must be taken to put more money in the hands of workers – who shop locally to stimulate the economy and reduce inventory creating deeper multipliers within the economy. Deploying all manners of subterfuge such as rebasing the indices; unemployment rate; inflation rate and GDP are not helpful. When the Economy does well, the citizens will feel it and that is where the real measure lies.
THE ENERGY SECTOR:
Every year, we talk about this sector yet, those that claim to know better have refused to listen but insists on listening to what does not work. We are workers in the various organisations running the Petroleum and Power sectors, we know where the skeletons are buried. We know what works. Government if it really wishes to deliver an effective Energy sector to Nigerians should sit down with critical stakeholders to turn around this sector so that it will play its critical role in Nigeria’s economic development. Energy poverty continues to hold Nigeria in its stranglehold. While we are blessed with enough natural resources to drive a robust energy sector, we have lacked the requisite leadership capacity to make it a reality. We are still at a great loss on how to explain events in the Oil and Gas sector. We have crude, yet Dangote claims to import crude to run his refinery. Dangote exports refined products yet, we import refined petroleum products. This defies logic.
A nation that fails to harness and manage its energy resources efficiently is doomed to economic stagnation and systemic collapse. Nigeria’s energy sector remains a glaring example of mismanagement, corporate exploitation, and governmental negligence, leaving millions in darkness and stifling our industrial potential. That Nigeria is celebrating electricity generation of 5528 MW is disquieting for a country with over 200M people while South Africa generates almost the same at 43000MW for a population that is about 45M. What is worrying still is that not more than 4000MW of that entire generated amount will eventually get to homes and industries.
If the President is sinking N10b into solar in lamentation of the high cost of electricity in the Villa; the Deputy Governor of Lagos state wringing his hands on the Millions he pays on electricity tariff monthly while many agencies of government are crying out, are they thinking of how the worker or the average citizen is going through under such high tariff? At least that should tell government what it has subjected us to.
Energy, whether from electricity, oil, or gas—is the lifeblood of any modern economy. Yet, decades of corruption, privatization scams, and policy failures have turned this vital sector into a tool for profiteering by a privileged few, while ordinary Nigerians suffer. The federal government must urgently collaborate with workers, trade unions, and the people to reclaim this sector and ensure energy sovereignty for all.
Public domestic Refineries have remained incapacitated. The Porthacourt and Warri Refineries which we were told had become technically completed are still lying technically in coma. All the promises of revitalization remain a huge mirage. The Port Harcourt refinery, after billions spent on repairs, is yet to function optimally. The game that is playing out in the sector especially the downstream sector where Dangote is exporting refined products while other entities import same products can only be explained as a deliberate economic gang-up. The entire story around Naira for crude is simply mind-boggling and can only happen here. Nigerians deserve full disclosure on why we must have to suffer.
Though we can glean marginal progress in the oil and gas sector, we urge the Federal Government to fix all refineries and resolve outstanding issues with NNPCL, Dangote, and marketers to ease pressure on citizens.
We demand strict enforcement of the expatriate quota system, as the manipulation by International Oil Companies (IOCs) deprives Nigerians of employment opportunities. We call on the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to act decisively — or workers will have no option but to down tools.
We still insist that Power Sector Privatization was a daylight heist and a Monumental Failure. A decade after privatization, Nigeria’s electricity sector remains in shambles. Nigerians are forced to pay exorbitant tariffs for darkness, while estimated billing continues as legalized robbery. If we are serious about development as a nation, we must be intentional about getting the energy sector especially the Power sector functional.
REGULATORY CAPTURE:
Comrades, as we celebrate today, let us take time to demand that the state returns to its function of Regulating critical sectors of the economy as statutorily demanded rather than abandoning Nigerians to the fat cats operating in our diverse sectors. The need to monitor and moderate activities of operators in these key sectors is the major reason for allowing them to be privatized in the first place. If Government cannot provide requisite and effective framework to monitor them, it becomes needful to seek a reversal.
The various acts of impunity in the Telecommunication sector despite the existence of NCC is embarrassing. The arbitrarily tariff hike in the Power sector despite the existence of NERC is an aberration. The Telcos behave as if there was no regulator and hiked tariffs without due process yet, there was no consequence. Same with the Electricity companies.
We are worried that when Regulators and operators become one, that is a capture as it renders them impotent; and should worry everyone whose interest is proper and effective service delivery that is progressive and serves the needs of the majority. It is on this note that we call on the federal government to implement the agreement reached with us to reduce the 50% telco service hike to 35% as agreed. It is long overdue and Nigerian workers have lost patience already.
TAX BILLS:
Comrades and fellow workers, we stand united against the unjust Tax Bills that seek to bleed the working class dry. These bills, crafted without our input, imposes heavy burdens on workers while letting the rich and corporations off the hook. It taxes our meager allowances—housing, transport, even medical benefits—while failing to ensure progressive taxation that makes the wealthy pay their fair share. This is not just an attack on our wallets; it is an attack on our dignity and survival in a time of crushing inflation and economic hardship. National Minimum Wage stands at N70,000 per month or N840,000 per annum. This government proposes to place the minimum taxable income at N800,000. This is insensitive to the suffering masses. How can you tax a man whose earnings per annum is just eight (8) bags of 50kg rice? How can you propose to Tax not just workers at the threshold of the National Minimum Wage but those below it?
The expansion of VAT on essential goods and the introduction of new levies will spike the cost of living, hitting the poorest hardest. Meanwhile, the bills have not done anything to curb the reckless spending and corruption of those in power. Instead of squeezing workers, the government should be taxing the profits of big business and the obscene wealth of the elite. The so-called “development levy” is nothing but a scheme to make the working class pay for the failures of the system.
The informal sector, the backbone of our economy, is also under siege. Street hawkers and artisans face daily harassment and extortion under presumptive taxation, while small businesses are burdened with compliance costs that only serve to choke their growth. This bill is not about justice—it is about squeezing every last drop from those who toil while the exploiters laugh all the way to the bank.
We demand the immediate withdrawal of this anti-worker Tax Bills! No more policies made behind closed doors while workers are excluded. The current and the proposed tax systems preys on workers’ incomes – PAYEE is not paying us! We call for progressive taxation, VAT exemptions on essentials, and real support for the informal sector. Nigeria workers will not rest until tax justice is won—not for the rich, but for the millions who keep this nation running.
ELECTORAL REFORMS:
There is a deep crisis of political legitimacy in our nation which stems from errors in our electoral system. No progressive society can afford to normalize this dysfunction. The current trajectory is unsustainable. A democracy that does not guarantee participation, justice, and transparency in its electoral process is one that betrays the social contract. Electoral justice is not a privilege; it is a right that must be protected with the same urgency with which we defend civil liberties and economic freedoms.
The trade union movement in Nigeria, on behalf of the working people, calls for an urgent national undertaking to reform our electoral and governance architecture. This is not a partisan demand; it is a patriotic duty. We need a process that ensures every vote counts and that public office is a reflection of the popular mandate, not the outcome of elite manipulation or institutional compromise.
To achieve this, we urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to rise beyond party lines and demonstrate bold leadership in initiating a broad-based and inclusive electoral reform process. We must convene stakeholders—workers, civil society, political actors, youth, and the marginalized—to collectively redesign our electoral framework in ways that uphold democratic principles, promote political accountability, and foster genuine popular participation.
This is how we deepen democracy. This is how we build a nation where leadership emerges from the consent of the governed, not from the convenience of a few. Only then can we truly say we are committed to building a just, equitable, and progressive Nigeria.
INTERNATIONAL ARENA:
Comrades, we want to report that Nigerian workers continue to monitor and participate in events around the world within the scope of our resources. The global space is troubled. The challenges confronting the world today stems from the greed of the metropoles and their Capitalist controllers. The quest for increasing profit has driven the globe to wars and placed the international community in danger of constant conflicts and pockets of wars. Attempts at resolving these are also contaminated and weakened by the refusal of the UN systems to act fairly and equitably. This has further put peace in peril across the world. Quest for the control of global resources by big nations and corporations to the detriment of majority of globe’s citizens have become a huge challenge to sustainable development.
- The Tariff Wars:
Comrades and fellow workers, the ongoing global trade tariff wars, sparked by U.S. President Trump’s imposition of high tariffs on US imports, continue to disrupt international trade and threaten jobs worldwide. These protectionist policies have triggered retaliatory measures from other nations, shrinking markets, raising prices, and destabilizing industries. For workers and unions, this means fewer opportunities, reduced wages, and increased job insecurity as businesses struggle with higher costs and declining demand. We must stand united to protect workers’ livelihoods from the fallout of these economic conflicts.
The implications for Nigerian workers are equally grave. As global trade tensions escalate, our export-dependent industries, such as oil and agriculture, face declining revenues and potential job losses. Unions must remain vigilant, advocating for policies that shield workers from these external shocks while pushing for diversification to strengthen our economy. We cannot afford to let the trade wars of powerful nations dictate the fate of our workforce. Solidarity and proactive engagement are key to safeguarding our interests.
We call for understanding and restraint among nations to prevent further escalation. Trade wars benefit no one—they stifle growth, fuel inflation, and endanger global wealth creation. Instead of punitive tariffs, nations should pursue dialogue and cooperation to resolve trade imbalances. The international labor movement must amplify this message, urging leaders to prioritize fair trade policies that protect workers’ rights and promote shared prosperity.
On this May Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to global solidarity among workers especially in Africa where the need for a stronger African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has become more imperative. We urge governments to create a more inclusive AfCFTA that mainstreams the interests of workers and embrace collaboration for sustainable development. Together, we can build an inclusive global economy that prioritizes decent jobs, fair wages, and shared progress. The time to act is now—for the sake of workers everywhere.
- Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)
Our voices are raised in unwavering solidarity with the brave people of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)—a nation still fighting for its rightful freedom and self-determination. For nearly five decades, the Sahrawi people have endured occupation, displacement, and repression, yet their struggle for justice remains unbroken.
Western Sahara, Africa’s last colony, continues to suffer under Morocco’s illegal occupation, despite numerous United Nations resolutions affirming the Sahrawi people’s right to a free and fair referendum on independence. The Sahrawi workers, like all oppressed peoples, face exploitation and discrimination.
The legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, has long fought for liberation, but the international community’s inaction has prolonged this injustice. The 1991 ceasefire collapsed in 2020 when Morocco launched new attacks, forcing Sahrawi refugees back into war and displacement. Yet, the Sahrawi people resist, with workers, women, and youth at the forefront of their struggle.
As trade unionists and defenders of workers’ rights worldwide, we cannot remain silent. The same forces that exploit workers globally—corporate greed and imperialist domination—are the ones denying the Sahrawi people their freedom. We demand an immediate end to Morocco’s occupation and the full implementation of UN resolutions for a free and fair referendum. The protection of Sahrawi workers’ rights, including their right to organize and resist exploitation.
- Cuba:
Today, we stand in unwavering solidarity with the people of Cuba, who have endured over six decades of an unjust and inhumane economic blockade imposed by the United States. This cruel siege is not just a policy—it is a deliberate act of punishment aimed at suffocating a sovereign nation for daring to chart its own path. The blockade restricts Cuba’s access to food, medicine, and essential supplies, violating the basic human rights of an entire people. As trade unions committed to justice, we condemn this aggression and demand an immediate end to the blockade.
This blockade is definitely not a tool for positive change, but an act of coercion against a small but resilient nation. Cuba’s achievements in healthcare, education, and international solidarity, despite these hardships, are a testament to the unbreakable spirit of its people.
On this May Day, we reaffirm our commitment to stand with Cuba. The blockade is an economic war that must end. We call on all progressive forces across Nigeria and the world to amplify the demand for justice and to pressure the U.S. government to lift this siege.
Let us unite in the spirit of workers’ solidarity and say with one voice:
Viva Cuba! End the blockade now!
CONCLUSION:
Your Excellencies and comrades; Nigerian workers are not happy! Nigerian workers are hungry. Nigerian workers are suffering massively. We feel betrayed by the very people whose duty it is to ensure that we maintain a balance. We want to know whether it is a crime to be a worker in Nigeria? Why are we deliberately being made poor? Why are we being ground to the dust? We have become one of the poorest workers on earth! Mr. President, Governors and Private Employers – where is justice in the Wages that you pay us?
It appears that the harder we work, the poorer we become. Everywhere, we turn, we are slapped with indignity! Everywhere we seek succor, the rug is pulled out of our feet with glee! Should any worker be working in poverty? Should any worker be a beggar while he is working to keep the wheel of production; the wheel of wealth creation rolling? Should the worker-patriot be condemned to constant tears and weeping because he works for the good of the fatherland? Where is the conscience of the nation? Where has the basic ideals of governance gone? Is there social justice in poverty?
It is important that all patriots – those who have the interest of our nation at heart join hands to protect the pillars of the nation’s democratic culture. The various freedoms at the core of democratic practice are the elements that make democracy more sustainable thus far more than other historical governance constructs. It is key that whether we are in public office today or not, our collective efforts must be geared towards maintaining the very fine tenets and traditions of democracy.
One of these platforms that allow democratic expressions and national cohesion is the civic space. Its usefulness and benefits to truly democratic governance are immense if explored. That is why we insist that as a nation and as a people, we must all join hands together to stop its erosion. It remains the public square that allows the government a glimpse into the feelings of the people enabling it gauge the civic pulse and direct its policies and programs accordingly. Without a vibrant civic space, this feedback is shutdown. It is only by reclaiming the civic space that we can adequately interrogate the forces that drive economic hardship in our nation. No matter the turbulence, we must remain steadfast as the bastion of the conscience of the people of this nation to ensure the sanctity of the civic space.
The blood of our martyrs cries out from the soil of Enugu, from the streets of Lagos, from the mining death pits of Zamfara, from the sands of Kaduna, from every picket line where workers have been beaten, jailed, or murdered for daring to demand their rightful share of the wealth they create! We stand today not as beggars, not as victims, but as the unstoppable force of history—the working class, the makers of the world, the ones whose labour breathes life into the empty coffers of the exploiters! Our fears and our worries should worry those who govern us if they are truly our leaders. We must continue using the civic space to express these fears so that they will be addressed.
In 1949, at Onyeama Coal Mines, 21 miners were slaughtered for demanding dignity and independence. In 1945, workers perished in the COLA struggle, fighting hardship just as we do today. Pa Imoudu, Milton Dabibi, Ovie Kokori—they were persecuted for daring to resist oppression. Countless others have sacrificed freedom and safety to build a fairer world. Today, we salute their courage. [Let us observe a Moment of silence for these heroes]
Their struggles shattered colonialism, broke the chains of exploitation, and won the freedoms we now defend. Their legacy is our mandate—to break the new chains of hunger, deprivation, and repression. The baton is ours. We must run this race with pride, defiance, and unyielding resolve. A memorial arcade will soon rise to honor these heroes. Join us in immortalizing their sacrifice.
Capitalism has shown its true face—a grotesque machine of exploitation, where just 62 billionaires hoard more wealth than half of humanity while workers starve! They tell us to tighten our belts and they tell us there is hope while they plunder our treasury, privatize our commons, and sell our future to the highest bidder!
The ruling class comrades, fears only one thing—our unity across all the divides! They thrive on our divisions—ethnic, religious, regional—but we must see through their lies! The real divide is not North or South, Christian or Muslim—it is between the workers who create and those who gorge themselves full in public offices! Between the oppressed and the oppressors!
Let us reaffirm our commitment to the principles of justice, equity, and democratic governance. The struggles we face today—economic hardship, repression of civic freedoms, and systemic inequality—are not insurmountable. But overcoming them requires clarity of purpose, strategic unity, and unwavering resolve.
The Nigerian worker is neither powerless nor voiceless. We are the backbone of this nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy. Yet, too often, our labor is met with exploitation, our demands with repression, and our rights with neglect.
The path ahead is difficult, but history shows that progress is won through persistence. We will not be silenced by intimidation, nor will we accept half-measures. Let this May Day mark not just a celebration of labor, but the beginning of a renewed movement.
History teaches us one truth: No oppressor lasts forever! From colonialism to apartheid, from dictatorship to neoliberalism—every tyranny has fallen before the logic of organized labour and the people’s cries! Let us reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
Let us therefore leave here today with fire in our hearts and resolve in our hands! Let us organize in every factory, every market, every village! Let us be the generation that forges a world where wealth is shared, where work is dignified, and where justice is not a dream but a reality!
Finally, we make the following demands:
- An urgent reversal of the unconstitutional suspension of the elected Government of Rivers state via a State of Emergency which is alien to our laws.
- That the federal and state governments should cease actions that erode the civic space but should encourage and deepen it for the sake of our nation.
- An immediate salary adjustment in sync with Economic realities
- That Government explains what exactly it is taxing in the PAYEE
- The withdrawal of the Tax Bills before the National Assembly to allow Nigerian workers sit at table where it is being conceived
- An immediate implementation of the reduction of telco tariff from 50% to 35% as agreed.
- Economic Justice – A living wage, fair taxation, and an end to policies that prioritize corporate profits over workers’ survival.
- Democratic Accountability – Transparent governance, electoral reforms, and an end to the suppression of dissent.
- Energy, infrastructure, and essential services must serve the people, not private interests. Regulators must work for the people!
- An end to the genocidal killings and bloodletting across the nation
- Workers’ Rights & Security – Safe workplaces, the right to organize, and protection from state and employer violence.
- An expansion of NLAC’s activities and increasing the meeting periods.
- That the indiscriminate Registration of new Unions in areas with proper coverage should stop
- Immediate payment of all outstanding Allowances, pensions and gratuities across the nation
- Restoration of Gratuity Payments. Public servants, who served diligently for decades, deserve a dignified exit just like political office holders who serve for much shorter periods.
- Upward Review of Retirement Age. It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service — currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges — to all public servants.
- An end to dehumanizing verification exercises in the public service
- An acceptable National Minimum Pension to guarantee dignity in retirement.
- Automatic adjustment of pensions to reflect inflationary trends.
- Once again, we call for a review of the Electricity Privatization exercise with the view to a reversal
Workers of the world; Have a wonderful May – Day celebration! It is Our Day! 2026 celebration beckons! Let us meet there again!
Long live the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)! Long live the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Long live Working people!!! Long live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!!
“A people united, can never be defeated! Workers united, can never be defeated!!”
