The Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), has saluted Nigerian workers on the occasion of this year’s International Workers Day, and urged Government at all levels to implement a living wage as a necessary step to prioritise workers welfare.
CAPPA is a Pan African organization that works to advance human rights, challenge corporate abuse of natural resources and build community power for inclusive development and participatory governance.
CAPPA, in a statement to mark the Workers Day signed by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, noted that workers are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, yet they continue to suffer a variety of challenges, including exploitation, unsafe work conditions, inadequate wages within a shrinking civic space and bleak economic environment.
It noted the data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and other statistical bodies, showing that between 2024 and 2025, workers have been at the receiving end of poor government policies which have worsened inflation, eroded real incomes and made basic goods and services increasingly unaffordable.
The statement which urged for human face in government policies pointed to the World Bank projection that said an estimated 13 million more Nigerians are projected to, by the end of 2025, join the existing 129 million others living below the poverty line due to ongoing inflation.
“Ironically, it is the neo-liberal and pro-market policies imposed by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Nigeria’s government through usurious loans and grants that are the main reasons behind the socio-economic crisis facing Nigeria today,” the CAPPA statement reflected.
While acknowledging the Nigerian government’s approval of a N70,000 minimum wage last year, the organisation stressed that the amount still falls short of what is needed to improve workers’ purchasing power amid worsening social conditions and the cost-of-living crisis.
CAPPA lamented on how some states even compounded the condition of some categories of workers by their failure to honour their commitment to a living wage for the workers as shown in media reports where no fewer than 20 states have yet to implement the new minimum wage for local government workers and primary school teachers.
The statement also noted that a key issue for Nigerian workers is that even though their labour creates the wealth of the nation, they are compelled to live a life of want and misery pointing out to a recent Oxfam report which shows the wealth of the four richest employers of labour in Nigeria has increased exponentially in the last two years whereas workers have seen a steep plunge in their purchasing power.
It cited the example of the new N70,000 national minimum wage recently won by the labour movement which has the same dollar-value as Nigeria’s minimum wage of N125 in the 1980s, which means that in actual sense, real wages have been on a standstill for at least four decades despite the increasing value and wealth the labour of Nigerian workers continue to create for the national economy.
The statement also expressed shock that despite Nigeria’s severe unemployment and underemployment challenges, a staggering 90 per cent of expatriates are working in roles meant for Nigerians and without a work permit as pointed out according to Interior Minister, Olubunmi Ojo.
The nongovernmental organisation lamented that this situation not only continues to deprive qualified, unemployed Nigerians of the few good jobs, but also makes Nigeria a dumping ground for unqualified foreign labour.
CAPPA urged the government to seal the loopholes exploited by illegal expatriates to steal jobs reserved for Nigerians.
“This day serves as a reminder of Nigerian workers’ struggle for dignity, safety, and equity in and out of the workplace.
“Across many sectors, workers are not only demanding an adequate pay, they are also asking for the recognition of their rights to organise, the ability to voice their concerns, and safe working environments free from harassment and discrimination.
“It is imperative that the government listens and act by implementing a living wage and people-centric policies that can offer workers a chance to survive,” the statement noted
CAPPA urged the government and employers of labour to take decisive actions to ensure that all workers receive fair compensation for their contributions, alongside benefits that support their well-being and development.
Furthermore, it canvassed special attention for marginalised groups, including women, youth, and informal sector workers, who often face additional barriers in the workforce.
“We urge labour unions to utilise this Workers’ Day celebration to advocate for improved working conditions and to support legislation that can alleviate the burdens of Nigerian workers,” the statement added
