Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday declared a national emergency on insecurity and poverty, describing them as major threats to jobs, productivity and national stability.
Addressing thousands of workers and labour leaders at Eagle Square, the president said decent work cannot thrive in an environment plagued by fear and economic hardship.
His remarks aligned with the global May Day theme centred on the Decent Work Agenda championed by the International Labour Organization.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu acknowledged that insecurity and poverty remain significant obstacles, adding that his administration is addressing them with urgency.
He highlighted the launch of the Community Protection Guards Initiative, which has recruited 45,000 young Nigerians to strengthen community security while creating employment opportunities.
The president also outlined key interventions under his Renewed Hope Agenda, including expanded cash transfers reaching 15 million vulnerable households and lifting an estimated 7.5 million Nigerians out of poverty.
He added that major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline have generated more than 600,000 jobs nationwide.
On workers’ welfare, Tinubu said the government has implemented a new national minimum wage, cleared pension arrears and reintroduced gratuity payments from January 2026.
He further noted that over 800,000 informal sector workers have been enrolled in the micro-pension scheme, while small businesses continue to benefit from a N200 billion MSME support fund.
The president stated that decent work cannot exist where workers live in fear, where wages are insufficient to meet basic needs, or where insecurity disrupts farms, factories and markets, adding that insecurity and poverty have been treated as a national emergency due to their impact on productivity, livelihoods and national confidence.
He noted that the administration recognises insecurity and poverty as major obstacles to building a peaceful Nigeria where citizens can live without fear and to achieving the Decent Work Agenda.
Tinubu said the agenda represents not just an international framework but a national imperative aligned with his administration’s vision of a country where hard work is rewarded, opportunities are accessible without discrimination and citizens can realise their full potential.
He added that despite the challenges, the government remains committed to tackling them through deliberate, coordinated and sustained actions supported by targeted policies and the efforts of security personnel.
Addressing labour unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the president called for sustained dialogue and restraint in industrial disputes.
He urged labour leaders to adopt strike as a last resort while encouraging collaboration to achieve lasting reforms.
Tinubu also commended security forces for their role in safeguarding economic activities, noting that improved safety is directly linked to job creation and national growth.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment, the president expressed confidence that Nigeria will overcome insecurity and reduce poverty, with a future where decent work becomes a reality for all citizens.
