Nigeria’s most powerful labour unions have issued a stark warning over the country’s economic health, claiming that a “toxic mix” of rising insecurity and systemic poverty is destroying the quality of employment for millions.

Speaking at a pre-May Day lecture in Abuja on Thursday, leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) argued that the dream of “decent work” is becoming increasingly unattainable. The unions claim that deteriorating economic conditions are not only undermining the welfare of workers but are now a direct threat to national productivity.

The interventions come as a transcript of the lecture, obtained by our correspondent, revealed deep anxieties within organized labour ahead of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebrations.

A ‘Frightened’ Workforce

The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told the audience that insecurity has become a primary barrier to economic survival, particularly in rural areas. He argued that if the government could secure the country, food prices would plummet as farmers returned to their land.

Key Concerns Raised by Labour:

• The Informal Trap: Nearly 90% of Nigerian jobs are now in the informal sector, leaving workers without pensions, job security, or safety standards.
• Decent Work Crisis: Ajaero defined “decent work” not merely as government employment, but as a “take-home” wage that allows for a dignified life.
• Productivity at Risk: Keynote speaker Prof. Kunle Olawunmi warned that Nigeria cannot build a stable economy on “hungry households” and “frightened communities”.

Analysis: A Divided Front

While the national leadership in Abuja is projecting a unified front against poverty, the situation on the ground in the states is far more fractured. In Edo State, the NLC has split into rival factions, with one group vowing to “mourn in silence” while a government-backed faction plans to “roll out the drums” for a stadium celebration. This internal “quagmire” highlights the political pressures often placed on labour unions during election cycles.

Conversely, in Oyo State, the relationship between the government and labour appears remarkably harmonious. By implementing a 13th-month salary and a minimum wage above the federal N70,000 (£38) benchmark, the state has become a rare “benchmark” for industrial peace. However, the national picture remains dominated by the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations (FIWON), who remind us that for the 93% of Nigerians in the informal economy, May Day offers “staggering inequality” rather than a cause for celebration.

‘A Backbone, Not an Afterthought’

In Osun State, the political stakes were further raised as APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji used the May Day festivities to launch a “people-first” campaign message. He described the Nigerian worker as the “backbone” of the country, promising that under his administration, their welfare would no longer be treated as an “afterthought”.

As Nigeria prepares for the official 2026 Workers’ Day, the message from the streets is clear: while some states are celebrating record recruitment and salary increments, the vast majority of the workforce remains trapped in a struggle for dignity in an increasingly insecure environment.