In his May Day message, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accused President Tinubu’s administration of worsening the living conditions of Nigerian workers under its “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Atiku said the occasion, which globally celebrates the dignity of labour, had instead become a period of “grief” for Nigerian workers who, according to him, are battling escalating hardship, inflation, and declining purchasing power.
“As we mark this year’s commemoration, I write not with celebration in my heart, but with grief. Grief for the Nigerian worker who was promised renewed hope and received instead renewed hardship,” he said.
Atiku described the administration’s “Renewed Hope” slogan as a betrayal of public trust, alleging that it has failed to translate into improved welfare for citizens.
He argued that nearly three years into the Tinubu administration, what has been “renewed is hardship, not hope,” adding that the Nigerian workforce—teachers, nurses, civil servants, artisans, and factory workers—has borne the brunt of poor policy implementation.
“The Nigerian worker has been the primary victim of an administration that appears more interested in increasing government revenue than improving the lives of citizens,” he stated.
The former Vice President questioned the handling of funds saved from subsidy removal, alleging that the resources have not translated into meaningful relief for Nigerians.
“Trillions were ostensibly saved, but nothing gained by the people,” he said.
Demand Competent Leadership, Obi Charges Workers
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, in his solidarity message to Nigerian workers described workers as the “backbone of every nation” and calling for improved welfare, fair wages, and better governance.
He praised workers across Nigeria and the world for their daily contributions to national development despite prevailing economic hardship.
According to him, Nigerian workers—including teachers, healthcare professionals, farmers, transporters, and civil servants—continue to sustain families and the economy “even in the face of severe hardship and uncertainty.”
Obi expressed concern over worsening living conditions, arguing that the current minimum wage can no longer support a modest standard of living due to inflation and rising costs of food, transportation, and basic services.
“It is deeply painful that those who wake up every day to teach, heal, build, farm, produce, transport, protect, and serve our nation are still denied the dignity and fair reward their labour deserves,” he said, adding, “no nation can truly develop beyond the strength, productivity, and wellbeing of its workforce,” stressing that economic progress is directly tied to the quality of human capital.
Beyond economic concerns, Obi urged workers to recognise their political influence, saying they also possess the “voice and vote” capable of shaping Nigeria’s future. He called on them to demand leadership anchored on “competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion,” while rejecting corruption, ethnic division, and poor governance.
According to him, “by refusing to reward failure, corruption, ethnic division, and bad governance, they can help build a nation where hard work is respected and rewarded with dignity.”
Akpabio Promises Workers Living Wage
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Friday , assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly was aware of their economic challenges and remains committed to improving their welfare through legislative measures.
He gave the assurance in a congratulatory message to mark the 2026 International Workers’ Day, issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh.
Akpabio acknowledged the difficulties faced by workers and pledged the Senate’s continued intervention through legislation aimed at improving living conditions and workplace standards.
He said, “The 10th National Assembly recognises the challenges workers face, from rising costs of living to workplace demands.
“I assure you that the Senate remains unwavering in its commitment to legislating for a living wage, safer workplaces, pension reforms, and policies that expand job creation and protect the dignity of labour.
“The passage of the new National Minimum Wage Act and the implementation of workers’ welfare packages are testaments to this commitment.”
Walson-Jack Hails Civil Servants Resilience
Head of Civil Service of the Federation Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, expressed appreciation to civil servants in the federation for their dedication, resilience, and unwavering service to the nation.
She asserted this on Friday in her message on the 2026 Workers’ Day.
Walson-Jack commended workers for their daily routine that sustained government operations and ensured that essential services reached Nigerians.
“Through policy design and implementation, administration, finance, education, healthcare, security coordination, infrastructure support, regulatory oversight, and citizen engagement, you remain central to national development.
“I recognise the demands of your work, the long hours, and the personal sacrifices involved. Your professionalism and commitment to duty are deeply valued and appreciated,” she said.
She said the service was being modernised transformed to deliver results through innovation, digitalisation, performance management, continuous learning and reform implementation.
This Head of Service commended President Bola Tinubu for the attention being given to the welfare of civil servants under the Renewed Hope Agenda, from the approval of the landmark Exit Benefit Scheme for retiring officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme to the operationalisation of the Employee Compensation Scheme for work-related injuries and losses.
ADC Pledges Living Wage
The National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark, paid tribute to Nigerian workers for their resilience, dignity, and unwavering sacrifices, declaring that Nigeria remains standing because of their hard work and dedication
In his 2026 Workers’ Day message, Mark described workers across all sectors—from classrooms to farms, hospitals to marketplaces, factories to oil fields—as the enduring backbone of the nation.
In a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, Technical Adviser, Strategic Communications said that Mark expressed deep concern over the plight of many Nigerian workers, noting that countless citizens labour daily without fair wages, job security, or confidence in a brighter tomorrow.
“The African Democratic Congress recognises that a nation that cannot protect the dignity of its workforce cannot truly claim to be on the path of progress,” Mark stated.
The former Senate President assured Nigerian workers that the ADC remains committed to rebuilding confidence in the nation’s workforce and restoring hope to millions.
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