As the world prepares to mark International Workers’ Day, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Nigerian federal and state governments to prioritise the welfare of workers by urgently implementing a living wage.
In a statement issued for May Day celebrations, CAPPA saluted Nigerian workers for their resilience, describing them as the backbone of the country’s economy. The organisation, however, lamented that workers continue to face widespread exploitation, unsafe working conditions, inadequate wages, and growing hardship under a harsh economic climate and a shrinking civic space.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), CAPPA said that government policies between 2024 and 2025 had worsened inflation, eroded real incomes, and made basic necessities increasingly unaffordable for the average worker.
The group also referenced World Bank projections, which estimate that an additional 13 million Nigerians will fall below the poverty line by the end of 2025, adding to the 129 million already living in poverty.
“The neo-liberal, pro-market policies championed by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), implemented through high-interest loans and grants, have contributed significantly to the socio-economic crisis plaguing Nigeria today,” the statement read.
CAPPA acknowledged the federal government’s approval of a new N70,000 minimum wage in 2024 but said the amount falls short of what is needed to match rising living costs. It also criticised some state governments for failing to implement the new wage for local government workers and primary school teachers, with media reports indicating that at least 20 states have yet to comply.
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Quoting a recent Oxfam report, CAPPA highlighted the widening inequality in Nigeria, noting that while the wealth of the country’s richest employers has surged in recent years, workers’ purchasing power has sharply declined. It pointed out that the real value of the current minimum wage is equivalent to the N125 minimum wage of the 1980s in dollar terms, showing that real wages have stagnated for over four decades.
In addition, the group expressed concern over labour market distortions caused by illegal expatriate employment. CAPPA cited Interior Minister Olubunmi Ojo’s disclosure that 90 percent of expatriates in Nigeria are working without permits in roles meant for citizens.
“This not only denies qualified Nigerians valuable job opportunities but also turns the country into a dumping ground for unregulated foreign labour,” the statement said.
The organisation urged the government to enforce labour laws and plug loopholes that allow the exploitation of Nigerian workers and displacement by illegal expatriates.
“May Day is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle of Nigerian workers for dignity, equity, and safety in the workplace. Beyond fair wages, workers are demanding their right to organise, freedom to voice concerns, and work environments free of harassment and discrimination.”
CAPPA also called for special protections for marginalised groups including women, youth, and informal sector workers—who often face systemic barriers in the workforce.
The group encouraged labour unions to use this year’s Workers’ Day as a platform to push for stronger protections, improved conditions, and policy reforms that ease the burden on Nigerian workers.
