Labour leaders Ibeji Nwokoma, National President of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Abubakkar Yusuf, the association’s General Secretary, expressed deep concerns about Nigeria’s economic challenges and the well-being of workers. Appearing on KAFTAN TV, the leaders highlighted the stark contrast between the government’s promises and the harsh realities workers face. Nwokoma criticized the insufficient ₦70,000 minimum wage, emphasizing that it has lost significant value due to inflation and the failure of the government to implement wage arrears. Yusuf added that several state governments have still not implemented the minimum wage, despite receiving increased federal allocations. Both leaders called for stronger action, advocating for advocacy, civil disobedience, and legal recourse to address these issues. They condemned the lack of meaningful adjustments to workers’ pay, warning that the current economic policies leave Nigerian workers struggling to survive.
On a recent episode of KAFTAN TV, host Macauley Hunohashi engaged in a heated discussion with Ibeji Nwokoma, National President of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), and Abubakkar Yusuf, the association’s General Secretary, on the state of Nigeria’s labour force, workers’ rights, and the economic hardships facing the nation. The conversation, which centered around this year’s May Day celebration, provided a critical perspective on the impact of economic policies on Nigerian workers.
Hunohashi began by asking Nwokoma about the theme for this year’s May Day celebrations, highlighting the paradox of workers’ apparent joy amidst the nation’s worsening economic climate. Nwokoma acknowledged the harsh realities Nigerian workers are facing, pointing out that the theme, “DCA,” reflects the “shrinking economic space” and the diminishing role of the workforce in the country’s economy. He described the May Day celebrations as “suffering in the midst of plenty”, with workers smiling despite enduring significant hardship.
He went on to address the failure of the government to fulfill promises made when the ₦70,000 minimum wage was approved. According to Nwokoma, the government had pledged to provide palliatives to cushion the economic impact of the delay in wage implementation, but this promise has not been honored. “Every day, the value of the naira keeps falling, and the ₦70,000 wage, which was supposed to improve workers’ livelihoods, has lost significant value due to inflation,” Nwokoma said, adding that the government had failed to pay the arrears owed to workers. He emphasized that while the new minimum wage is appreciated, it is insufficient without proper implementation and accompanying measures.
In response to Hunohashi’s question about why labour leaders seemed to be cheerful despite the worsening economic situation, Nwokoma clarified that workers have very little to be joyful about. “There’s nothing to be cheerful about. The minimum wage as it stands is not enough to sustain anyone,” he stated, criticizing the lack of meaningful adjustments to salaries.
The discussion then turned to the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage across Nigeria. Hunohashi asked Yusuf about the failure of some state governments to implement the wage, noting that this shows a level of insensitivity to the plight of workers. Yusuf agreed, noting that the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Central Working Committee (CWC) have instructed states to declare disputes with governments that have not complied with the wage increase. “It’s unacceptable for state governments to refuse to implement a wage that is legally mandated, especially when federal allocations have increased,” Yusuf said, stressing that this refusal is an affront to workers’ rights.
Yusuf also spoke on the practicality of taking legal action against non-compliant states, explaining that the compromised state of the judiciary makes such efforts unlikely to succeed. Instead, he advocated for advocacy and civil disobedience as alternative methods of holding the government accountable. “We may not have the power to fight directly, but we have ways of telling truth to power,” he explained.
The conversation also touched on the everyday struggles of workers, particularly the high cost of transportation. Yusuf highlighted how a significant portion of the ₦70,000 wage is spent on commuting, leaving workers with very little to cover other basic needs. “Out of ₦70,000, over 50% is spent just on transportation. The remaining amount is far from enough to feed a family or pay for healthcare,” Yusuf said, emphasizing the severe financial strain on workers.
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Nwokoma and Yusuf both rejected accusations that labour leaders were collaborating with government officials to the detriment of Nigerian workers. Nwokoma reaffirmed that labour leaders have done everything in their power to advocate for fair wages and working conditions, citing their efforts during the renegotiation of the minimum wage. “We asked for increases based on inflation, but the government failed to provide adequate justification for its refusal,” Nwokoma said.
The discussion also touched on the political landscape, with Yusuf acknowledging the upcoming 2027 elections and the challenges posed by defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He warned against the dangers of a one-party state, emphasizing that the 2027 election may see a shift, with the people standing against the government. “It’s one vote, one person, one vote,” Yusuf concluded, stressing the importance of maintaining democratic integrity.
In closing, Nwokoma and Yusuf reiterated that the labour movement will continue to fight for workers’ rights, urging the government to honor its promises and address the worsening economic conditions faced by Nigerian workers.
The conversation on KAFTAN TV underscored the growing disillusionment among Nigerian labour unions, who are pushing for more meaningful action to address the economic challenges affecting the workforce. With the situation continuing to deteriorate, the fight for fair wages and improved working conditions remains a central issue for Nigerian workers.
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