Tinubu declares insecurity, poverty national emergencies at Workers’ Day celebration
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration on May 1.
Speaking at Eagle Square in Abuja through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President warned that the hydra-headed crises pose an existential threat to jobs, productivity, and Nigeria’s overall economic stability.
The administration treats insecurity and poverty as emergencies due to their direct impact on the livelihoods of workers and the confidence of employers.
Tinubu stated that there cannot be decent work where workers fear for their lives or where wages cannot feed a family, acknowledging that insecurity disrupts farms, factories, and markets, making meaningful economic growth impossible until safety is restored.
To address these issues, the administration highlighted several 2024–2026 initiatives, including Community Protection Guards through the recruitment of 45,000 young Nigerians to secure local communities; Agro-Rangers deployment of 10,000 rangers to protect farmers and agricultural investments from banditry; Wage Reforms, involving a commitment to improving working conditions and ensuring fair wages, including the reactivation of gratuity payments starting in January 2026.
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The President assured workers and the general public that ongoing security and economic reforms would be sustained to restore stability and improve living conditions across the country.
