President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies, describing them as serious threats to employment, productivity, and the country’s overall stability.
Speaking on Friday at Eagle Square during the 2026 May Day celebration, the president addressed thousands of workers and labour leaders, stressing that decent work cannot exist in an atmosphere dominated by fear and economic hardship.
The address, delivered on his behalf by George Akume, aligned with the global May Day theme focused on the Decent Work Agenda promoted by the International Labour Organization.
Tinubu acknowledged that insecurity and poverty remain major challenges but assured Nigerians that his administration is tackling them with urgency. He highlighted the Community Protection Guards Initiative, which has reportedly engaged about 45,000 youths to enhance grassroots security while also creating jobs.
Under his Renewed Hope Agenda, the president noted that social interventions have expanded, with cash transfers reaching around 15 million vulnerable households and helping approximately 7.5 million Nigerians rise out of poverty.
He also pointed to large-scale infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, which he said have generated over 600,000 jobs nationwide.
On workers’ welfare, Tinubu listed key reforms such as the implementation of a new national minimum wage, settlement of pension arrears, and the reintroduction of gratuity payments beginning January 2026. He added that more than 800,000 informal workers have been enrolled in the micro-pension scheme, while small businesses are benefiting from a ₦200 billion MSME support fund.
The president emphasized that decent work is impossible in an environment where insecurity disrupts farms, markets, and industries, or where wages cannot meet basic needs. He described these issues as “critical national concerns” requiring coordinated and sustained action.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges, the administration reassured citizens of its commitment to addressing them through targeted policies and the continued efforts of security agencies.
Addressing labour bodies such as the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Tinubu urged dialogue and restraint, noting that strikes should be a last resort.
He also praised the efforts of security personnel in maintaining economic stability and reaffirmed his administration’s goal of building a nation where decent work is accessible to all citizens, not just a privileged few.