The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued a strong appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately reinstate the suspended elected government of Rivers State and withdraw proposed tax bills that further burden Nigerian workers.
During the 2025 May Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo demanded urgent reforms to restore democratic accountability and protect civil liberties. They emphasized the need for transparent governance, electoral integrity, and the end of actions that suppress dissenting voices.
“We urge both the federal and state governments to refrain from undermining civic freedoms. Instead, they must work to expand the civic space in the interest of national unity and progress,” Ajaero declared.
The labour leaders outlined several critical demands, including:
– Immediate upward review of salaries to reflect current economic conditions
– Full payment of outstanding allowances, pensions, and gratuities
– Restoration of gratuity payments across all sectors
Ajaero also called for uniform retirement terms across the public service. “The revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service, currently exclusive to teachers, health professionals, and judges, must be extended to all public servants. Equal treatment will ensure fairness, boost morale, and improve efficiency in the civil service,” he stated.
On the contentious issue of wage implementation, the NLC president emphasized strict compliance with the N70,000 national minimum wage. “The law must be obeyed. It is time for not just enforcement, but also a comprehensive wage review to ease the growing hardship faced by workers,” he insisted.
In response, President Tinubu—represented by Labour Minister Alhaji Muhammed Maigari Dingyadi—reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to worker welfare and job security.
“This administration is fully committed to partnering with labour unions, private sector stakeholders, and civil society groups to develop policies that uphold the rights and livelihoods of Nigerian workers across all sectors,” the president stated.
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