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Tag: Nigerian Workers

  • Nigerian Workers deserve the best — Tolu Bankole

    Nigerian Workers deserve the best — Tolu Bankole

    Tolu Bankole, member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) and Chairman of the Governing Board at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, has extended warm greetings to Nigerian workers in celebration of Workers’ Day 2025.

    A passionate advocate for justice and labour rights, and a former Students’ Union President at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Bankole praised Nigerian workers for their unwavering resilience, dedication, and loyalty to the country.

    He described them as “the mother of the nation,” recognizing their vital role in sustaining national productivity across every sector—from classrooms and hospitals to farms, factories, and the civil service.

    “Today, I don’t just celebrate Nigerian workers I honour them,” he said. “They are the silent heroes of our nation, sacrificing daily to keep our systems running despite economic challenges and governance lapses.”

    Condemning the failure to pay wages, allowances, and pensions, Bankole labeled such actions as “criminal and inexcusable,” calling out institutions public and private that default on workers’ entitlements. “Any system that delays or denies what is due to workers is guilty of economic sabotage,” he declared.

    He urged all levels of government and the private sector to consistently pay living wages and implement the new national minimum wage without delay. “Workers must be celebrated, motivated, and treated with dignity,” he emphasized, adding that worker welfare is not an act of charity, but a national duty that directly affects productivity and national unity.

    Bankole also called for a modernised, transparent pension system and better working conditions, including fair remuneration, professional development, and career growth opportunities. “Nigerian workers deserve nothing less than the best,” he concluded.

    He reaffirmed his unwavering support for the rights and welfare of all Nigerian workerstoday and always.

     

  • Minimum wage: N70k can’t take care of a family, a living wage is what is good for Nigerian workers – Opposition leader, Chinda

    Minimum wage: N70k can’t take care of a family, a living wage is what is good for Nigerian workers – Opposition leader, Chinda

    …says we’re solid behind labour for a living wage

    …but labour must follow all the rules while carrying out this

    The Opposition leader of the House of Representatives, Rep Kingsley Chinda has said what the Executive arm of government should be considering is a living wage for Nigerian workers not a minimum wage.

    Chinda made this disclosure while chatting with journalists in Abuja on Friday declaring that:

    “A minimum wage of N70K cannot solve the problems of a family which consists of a wife and four children as legally recognized by law, what we should looking into is a living wage.

    Chinda who is on the same page with the Speaker of the HoR Dr Tajudeen Abass while chatting with State House Correspondents had also spoken in the same vein calling for a living wage.

    The minority leader further explained that: ” We believe that the issue of corruption can be drastically reduced if we pay a living wage and it will ignite the spirit of believing in the state.

    “Pay Nigerians a living wage it will solve a lot of problems, let’s see how we can pay affordable living wage, let government look deeply into it.

    “As a caucus we solidly support labour for that but they must follow the rules while pursuing this to a logical conclusion.

    “The position of governor’s that they cannot pay more than N70K, it will not solve any problem, let government sit with labour and see what is affordable and practicable.

    “I think the law recognizes one wife and four children, can N70K pay rents and feed them, how much is the price of a bag of rice.

    “Nigerians are angry because they believe that there’s so much wastage and I have seen them publishing homologous salaries that we earn but if you pay a living wage the situation will change.

    “We the caucus support a living wage without compromise but labour must follow the laws because two wrongs can never make a right.

  • Workers’ Day: Sanwo-Olu counsels workers on productivity

    Workers’ Day: Sanwo-Olu counsels workers on productivity

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged Nigerian workers, including public and private workers in the state to remain productive as the world celebrates International Workers’ Day.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, urged workers to be committed to carrying out their duties.

    He commended all the workers for their patience, strength, passion and commitment to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole.

    According to him, workers are the lifeblood of the economy, hence, should not relent in their positive contributions to the economy.

    ”Happy Workers’ Day to all our committed and hardworking workers in the public and private sectors.

    “We appreciate your contributions; they are indeed the lifeblood of our economy because, without the contributions of the workers, no government can achieve its dream.

    ”Nigerian workers are the fabric that makes up the society as a result of their tireless contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.

    ”As we join the rest of the world today, to celebrate International Workers’ Day, I implore all workers, especially those in Lagos State to remain productive and committed to duty.

    ”We must all join hands together to take Lagos to greater heights in line with our administration’s Greater Lagos agenda.

    ”As a government, we will continue to make the welfare of workers our priority and ensure that we play our role in creating a good working environment for workers in the state.

    “I congratulate all our workers on the 2022 International Workers’ Day,” Sanwo-Olu said.

  • Why Nigerian workers should take COVID-19 vaccine – NLC President

    Why Nigerian workers should take COVID-19 vaccine – NLC President

    The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba on Monday asked workers across the country to take the COVID-19 vaccine for a chance to stay alive.

    Speaking during a press conference in Abuja, Wabba appealed to workers to take advantage of vaccination provisions made by the Federal Government, in order to reduce hospitalisations and fatalities among workers.

    According to him, while health issues need to be approached with great caution, it would be foolhardy to undermine the protective powers of vaccines against the virus.

    “The truth is that despite being imperfect, the COVID-19 vaccine has given all of us a better chance of fighting the virus and staying alive,” he said.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic has brought some of the biggest strains, stress and squeeze to the workplace. Thousands of workers have already died. In fact, just last week, the World Health Organisation posited that as of the third week of October, we have lost about 180,000 frontline health workers.

    “I understand some people prefer to view COVID-19 vaccination with caution. Yes, it is important to proceed on issues of public health with great caution. Yet, it would be foolhardy to elevate caution above scientific evidence and facts from public health records.

    “I urge workers all over the world to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccines and keep themselves, their families and their colleagues at work safe and free from the morbid threats of the corona pandemic.”

    The NLC President’s appeal follows the recent directive of the Federal Government that civil servants who refuse to be vaccinated will need to show test results, confirming that they are negative before they can access public offices, beginning from December 1.

     

  • May Day: Senate President greets Nigerian workers

    May Day: Senate President greets Nigerian workers

    President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has felicitated with Nigerian workers as they join their counterparts the world over to mark the Workers’ Day.

    Lawan congratulated Nigerian workers for sustaining their heroic struggle for the liberation of the country from poverty and underdevelopment even in the face of the daunting challenges at various work places.

    The Senate President acknowledged the role of workers as the creator of wealth in the society and stressed that it is for this reason that they should be appreciated at all times.

    “The best way to appreciate the enormous contributions of the Nigerian workers is to always consider their welfare as of utmost importance.

    “As a legislature, we are ever ready to work in collaboration with the organised labour Unions to rid our statute books of any anti-labour laws,” Lawan said.

    The Senate President said as part of the effort of the ninth National Assembly to strengthen the economy and improve the standard of living of the people, it is determined to make the country’s financial year predictable through timely passage of the 2020 budget.

    Lawan said the National Assembly has in the same respect made critical amendments to some laws to ensure smooth implementation of the budget. He said the Legislature would continue to move relentlessly in that direction, despite the unforeseen challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Senate President noted that this year’s celebration of Workers’ Day comes at a time the entire world is facing the health emergency brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic.

    Lawan said the resilience and never-die spirit of the Nigerian people will boost the efforts of the government to overcome the pandemic.

    The Senate President urged the Nigerian workers, as they mark their day, to adhere strictly to all the prescribed public health protocols of social distancing, wearing of face mask, use of hand sanitizer, observance of personal hygiene, and to endeavour to stay at home and stay safe.

  • Workers’ Day: Gbajabiamila salutes Nigerian workers, tasks them on productivity

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated the Nigerian workers for marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.

    Gbajabiamila said although the day is being marked quietly across the globe as a result of the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much to remember about the sacrifices made by Nigerian workers.

    Gbajabiamila, in a statement marking the Workers’ Day signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, commended Nigerian workers for their commitment and dedication to work over the years, which he said has shaped the country tremendously.

    The Speaker, however, called on Nigerian workers to be more productive now and always, saying no matter what was achieved before now must be sustained and improved upon.

    “I want to salute the courage of Nigerian workers, who have over the years given their best to their work. Indeed Nigeria and Nigerians are proud of you.

    “I urge the Nigerian workers to redouble their efforts at this time of our national development. They must continue to put in their best in the work that they do for the betterment of the country,” Gbajabiamila said.

  • Ngige to Nigerian workers: Your jobs are safe despite COVID-19 pandemic

    The Federal Government says it will work to ensure that there are no job losses arising from the extreme effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the economy.

    The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, said this on Thursday in his May Day message released by his media aide, Mr Emmanuel Nzomiwu.

    Ngige said that the Federal Government would look at the four-pillar plan of policy responses to the pandemic laid out by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

    He said that such policies were intended to be human-centred and built on global solidarity.

    He said that all relevant factors to the nation’s workforce would be identified, analysed and solidified to ensure job retention and continued realisation of decent work agenda.

    The minister said that the Federal Government would be guided by labour standards as benchmarks for social and employment protection at this time of vulnerabilities.

    He stated that the government would not encourage employers to disengage any member of their staff without the prerequisite social dialogue and clearance from the ministry.

    Ngige commended workers in the health sector for being in the frontline of ensuring that the raging pandemic was contained.

    “Over the years, May 1 has been a unique day in the world of work. It is a day dedicated to workers as partners in the socio-economic development of nations,” he said.

    The minister, however, said that the 2020 May Day celebration was different “because we are all taking refuge in our respective homes, staying off the streets in a bid to stay alive and beat an invisible enemy.

    “The COVID-19 outbreak has affected modes of work and the utilisation of teleworking is on the increase.

    “As you work from home, I urge you to do your best in that regard and to endeavour to demarcate your personal life from work,” he said.

    Ngige said that the Federal Government was not unmindful of the fact that businesses in both the private and public sectors had suffered.

    “Sustainability of the enterprise has become a subject of concern. The worries precipitated by the COVID-19 crisis are further compounded by worries of maintaining a source of livelihood.

    “In this regard, the government and social partners will have a look at the four-pillar plan of policy responses to COVID-19 crisis laid out by ILO.

    “These are intended to be human-centred and built on global solidarity and it will be in addition to the Federal Government evolving plan of action to sustain the economy in the context of current global crisis,” he said.

    He urged workers to imbibe the ILO laid out workers’ response options to COVID-19 which include efficient social dialogue at all levels.

    Others are mobilisation and allocation of human and financial resources without exacerbating the national debt crisis and promotion of solidarity and non-discrimination/stigmatisation of workers and sick persons among others.

  • May Day: APC, PDP, others felicitate with Nigerian workers

    May Day: APC, PDP, others felicitate with Nigerian workers

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and oppositon, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have extended its good wishes and greetings to all Nigerian workers on this year’s May Day celebration.

    The APC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, described Nigerian workers as key drivers of development despite the challenges they face.

    “Unarguably, the Nigerian workers remain one of the most dedicated, resilient and hardworking in the world. They remain a key driver of the country’s multi-facet development.

    “Despite challenges particularly on the economy, we celebrate Nigerian workers for staying positive and being a partner in nation-building as well as contributing towards efforts to take the country to its deserved heights.”

    The party called on labour and trade unions in the country to continue ongoing dialogue with the government aimed at improving workers’ salaries and general welfare.

    Also the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while celebrating Nigerian workers in a statement called on workers to stand up for democracy and against what it described as incessant constitutional violations and interferences.

    “Nigerian workers must also not spare any energy in raising a strong voice against the violation of human rights and manifest insensitivity of the Buhari administration to the unabated mass killing of compatriots in Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa, Yobe, Borno, Plateau, Zamfara and other parts of our country by marauders and insurgents.

    “Our labour force must also speak out against harsh anti-people policies and the corruption ravaging the Buhari administration, leading to the collapse of our once robust economy with loss of over 24 million jobs and attendant acute hardship, poverty and destitution in our country today.

    “Furthermore, we urge our workers to defend our democracy by standing against incessant constitutional violations, interferences and invasion of the legislature and the judiciary, persecution and harassment of opposition and lack of transparency in the system,” it said.

  • Nigerian workers deserve N96, 000 minimum wage — ULC

    Nigerian workers deserve N96, 000 minimum wage — ULC

    The Northern Coordinator, United Labour Congress (ULC), John Gimbason on Saturday reiterated the union’s demand for N96,000 minimum wage for workers in the country.

    Gimbason said this while inaugurating a ULC 12-member State Executive Council on Saturday in Kaduna.

    He said the proposal was realistic and realisable considering the current inflation in the nation’s economy and in view of workers’ contributions to nation’s building.

    The former Kaduna State NLC chairman said that the new Labour Centre had opened negotiations with the Federal Government on the proposed N96, 000 minimum wage, assuring members that the proposal would soon yield fruits.

    According to him, while workers are over burdened with lots of responsibilities, they receive stipends as monthly salaries, even as some others do not receive their wages for months.

    He frowned at the Kaduna State government’s plan to sell off government quarters to the highest bidder, saying that it was unacceptible and called for the reversal of the decision.

    He appealed to the 25 unions under the ULC to give their maximum cooperation to ensure that workers in both public and private sectors were treated with human face.

    Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the ULC, Ephriam James, in his inaugural speech, said the council would ensure that workers in the state were liberated to earn salaries they deserve.

    He said the Union would engage the state government and other employers of labour in dialogue to ensure they arrived at agreements to improve welfare of workers.

    James, also State chairman, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), assured that whatever decision taken at the national level would be replicated in the state, especially with regard to wages.

    He called for support from members and 25 affiliated unions that formed the United Labour Congress to seek improved welfare of workers in the state without compromise.

     

    NAN