Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Labour and Employment Muhammad Dingyadi, commended Nigerian workers for their “tenacity, sense of purpose, and patriotism” during Workers’ Day celebrations, assuring them that their dedication would be rewarded, as reported by The Nation, Naija News, TheCable, and Vanguard. Speaking in a pre-May Day message, Dingyadi aligned the government’s efforts with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing sustainable economic, social, and infrastructure development to address economic hardships, per Naija News. He urged workers to collaborate as “comrades-in-arms” to realize national transformation, stating, “The government acknowledges and appreciates your altruism and will keep working earnestly to reward it,” per The Nation.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) marked the day with events at Eagle Square, Abuja, and state capitals, under the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” per Daily Post. NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking at a pre-May Day lecture in Abuja delivered by Professor Christopher Chukwuma of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, criticized the government for restricting civic expression, citing police suppression of protests in Port Harcourt and elsewhere. Ajaero warned, “Forces are being used to compress the civic space, and if you do that, you match the end to democracy,” noting that current leaders benefited from past civic struggles, per TheCable. Chukwuma called for revising laws like the Cybercrime Act and Public Order Act, which limit civic engagement, emphasizing that an open civic space is vital for democracy, per Vanguard.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio pledged the National Assembly’s commitment to workers’ welfare through labor-friendly legislation, promising protection against victimization for expressing rights. He stated, “I must say that Nigerian workers are our pride and we will not shirk our responsibility to work with the Executive to address workers’ concerns,” per The Nation. The National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) praised the establishment of the Textile and Garment Development Board, approved by the National Executive Council, as a step toward reviving the textile industry, per Daily Post. NUTGTWN’s leadership, Peters Godonu and Ali Baba, highlighted its potential for job creation and economic growth, per Leadership.
Anambra State House Speaker Somtochukwu Udeze lauded workers as “partners in progress,” commending Governor Charles Soludo’s welfare improvements and urging sustained productivity, per The Nation. However, challenges persist, with 20 states yet to implement the N70,000 minimum wage, and inflation at 34.8% eroding its value, per Leadership. X posts, including @TheNationNews, reflected the government’s assurances, but @NLCHeadquarters demanded action on wage delays, per post:0. Despite economic strains, the government’s focus on innovation and security, as reiterated by Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo declaring May 1 a public holiday, aims to foster worker-driven progress, per Nairametrics.
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