President Bola Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies.
The president warned that both crises pose serious threats to jobs, productivity and Nigeria’s overall stability.
Tinubu made the declaration at the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration held at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The theme of this year’s celebration, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” resonated strongly, underscoring the dual challenges confronting Nigerian
There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives, where wages cannot feed a family, or where insecurity disrupts farms, factories, markets and other economic activities,” he said.
Describing insecurity and poverty as “hydra-headed challenges,” Tinubu said the Federal Government was treating both issues with urgency due to their far-reaching impact on livelihoods and economic confidence.
He assured that his administration was implementing coordinated strategies to tackle the crises, noting that achieving the Decent Work Agenda remained a national priority aligned with global labour standards.
Tinubu highlighted several interventions under his Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Community Protection Guards Initiative, which has recruited 45,000 young Nigerians to boost local security while creating employment.
He also said social investment programmes had expanded to reach 15 million vulnerable households, with about 7.5 million Nigerians reportedly lifted out of poverty.
On workers’ welfare, the President said his administration had implemented a new national minimum wage, cleared pension arrears and reintroduced gratuity payments from January 2026.
The President added that over 800,000 informal sector workers had been enrolled in the micro pension scheme, while small businesses were benefiting from a N200bn Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises support fund.
Tinubu also outlined agricultural interventions, including the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket, mechanisation programmes and deployment of 10,000 Agro Rangers across 19 states to protect farmers.
Calling for industrial harmony, he urged organised labour to prioritise dialogue in resolving disputes.
“Strike should be the last resort, not the first,” he said, while commending security personnel for their sacrifices in safeguarding the country.
Meanwhile, organised labour used the occasion to push for a significant wage review, with calls for a new minimum wage of up to N250,000 gaining traction amid worsening economic conditions.
The development came as government officials and political actors across the country reaffirmed commitments to workers’ welfare, while labour unions in some states openly backed incumbent governors ahead of the 2027 elections.
