By CHARLES CHIJIOKE
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration is confronting insecurity and poverty as urgent national emergencies, warning that both crises pose serious threats to jobs, productivity and Nigeria’s overall stability.
The president made the remarks on Thursday at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at Eagle Square in Abuja, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
“There cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives, where wages cannot feed a family, or where insecurity disrupts farms, factories, markets and other economic activities,” Tinubu said, stressing that the challenges must be tackled with urgency under his administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.
He described insecurity and poverty as “hydra-headed challenges” undermining livelihoods and weakening confidence among both workers and employers, noting that the situation runs contrary to the decent work principles promoted by the International Labour Organization.
According to the president, his government has introduced measures aimed at addressing the twin crises, including the recruitment of about 45,000 youths into a community protection guards scheme designed to boost grassroots security
while creating employment opportunities.
Tinubu also appealed to organised labour, particularly the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, to embrace sustained dialogue and treat industrial action as a last option.
He commended security agencies for their efforts in tackling threats across the country and reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare through fair wages, safer working conditions, dignity of labour and equal opportunities.
The statement, originally reported by TheCable, comes amid growing economic pressure on Nigerian workers, rising inflation and persistent security concerns in several regions.
Analysts say the government’s framing of insecurity and poverty as emergencies could signal increased policy focus, accelerated spending on security architecture and social interventions, but may also raise expectations among citizens and labour unions for quick, measurable results.
Failure to deliver tangible improvements, observers warn, could heighten tensions with organised labour and trigger more frequent industrial disputes, while effective implementation could stabilise productivity and rebuild confidence in the economy ahead of future political cycles.
