Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Nigerian workers joined their counterparts worldwide to commemorate Workers’ Day, on Thursday, May 1.
In Lagos, our Correspondent observed that the usual spirit of celebration was overshadowed by lamentations over widespread hardship and frustration.
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero delivered a powerful critique of the structural inequalities plaguing the nation.
“We are constantly compelled to live in a society divided into two classes: the oppressed and the oppressors,” he stated.
He accused the ruling elite of uniting against the masses, imposing neoliberal policies that strip workers of dignity and deepen inequality.
According to Ajaero, “Capitalism, in its insatiable hunger, devours jobs… and widens the chasm of inequality.”
He further criticized the government for serving as an enforcer of foreign-driven, exploitative policies rather than protecting its own citizens. This, he emphasized, has left workers at a crossroads, not only facing national challenges but a global attack on labour rights.
Yet amidst the turmoil, the NLC remains defiant and determined. Ajaero praised the resilience of Nigeria’s trade union movement, calling it the most vibrant in Africa.
He highlighted the ongoing fight to implement the N70,000 National Minimum Wage, which many state governments and even the federal government have failed to honour.
“Our power does not come from the benevolence of the elite but from the unity of the exploited,” Ajaero affirmed. He called on all workers to rise beyond negotiation for “crumbs,” urging a united push for justice, dignity, and fair wages.
“Let us build a movement that does not merely negotiate for crumbs, but demands a fair share of the bread we have baked.”
The (NLC) painted a bleak picture of the country’s labour landscape, lamenting the deepening socio-economic crisis that has left workers impoverished and demoralized.
“It has been one anti-worker policy after another,” the NLC declared, reflecting on the past year under the current administration. Rather than progress, Nigerian workers have faced worsening conditions that have sapped hope and heightened despair.
In Kano, Gov. Yusuf Marks May Day with New Wage, Pension Reforms, and Job Creation Plans
Hussaini Kafi in Kano
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano has felicitated with workers in the State and across Nigeria on the occasion of the 2025 International Workers’ Day, describing the labour force as the backbone of democratic governance, national development, and societal progress.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Thursday.
In a landmark address delivered at the May Day celebration in Kano, Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to workers’ welfare, unveiling a series of bold initiatives aimed at enhancing working conditions, boosting morale, and positioning Kano as a model of labour-conscious governance.
“Today is not merely a public holiday,” the governor said. “It is a day rooted in history—for sacrifice and the struggle for justice, equity, and the dignity of labour.”
Recalling Kano’s historical place as the first state to host an official May Day celebration in 1980 under the late Governor Abubakar Rimi, Governor Yusuf expressed pride in continuing that legacy through progressive policies that centre workers’ interests.
₦71,000 Minimum Wage Now in Effect
In one of the most significant announcements of the day, Governor Yusuf revealed that Kano has officially adopted a new minimum wage of ₦71,000, making it one of the first states in Nigeria to implement a substantial wage increase for civil servants.
“Through deliberate and determined efforts, we have successfully ensured that the new minimum wage for civil servants in Kano State stands at ₦71,000. This is a bold and commendable step toward enhancing workers’ welfare,” he said.
He stressed that the new salary structure is designed to cushion the effects of economic hardship, raise morale, and improve productivity across public service.
Reforms in Civil Service, Pensions, and Training
The governor outlined ongoing reforms targeting the revitalization of the civil service.
These include institutionalising regular training and capacity building through workshops and partnerships with institutions like ASCON, modernising administrative procedures, and reviewing key operational documents such as the Civil Service Rules, Financial Instructions, and the Scheme of Service.
He also highlighted the payment of ₦16 billion in pension arrears, an upward review of minimum pension from ₦5,000 to ₦20,000, and the release of ₦100 million to support pensioners’ activities, signaling a strong commitment to retirees’ welfare.
HR“Pension reform is not just an administrative task; it is a moral duty to those who served with honour,” he declared.
Creation of Ministries and Agencies for Jobs, Innovation
Governor Yusuf announced the creation of new ministries and agencies designed to improve service delivery and generate employment.
These include the Ministries of Housing Development, Internal Security, Solid Minerals, and Power & Renewable Energy, along with new agencies like the Kano State ICT Development Agency and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency.
“These institutions are not just bureaucratic creations—they are strategic responses to the demands of a modern, inclusive, and secure society,” the governor noted.
Urban Renewal and Security in Focus
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to urban renewal, citing the ongoing construction of flyovers at Dan Agundi and Tal’udu junctions, road expansions, improved drainage systems, and the installation of streetlights.
He also noted the declaration of a state of emergency on education, as well as the formation of a special task force to tackle phone snatching and thuggery in the state.
Call for Unity and Patriotism
Governor Yusuf closed his address with a call for unity, civic responsibility, and collective action.
“While economic hardship poses challenges, it also offers opportunities for resilience, innovation, and solidarity,” he said. “Let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals of patriotism, productivity, and public service.”
Labour leaders in the state commended the administration’s efforts and expressed support for continued collaboration toward a more prosperous Kano.
