• President Bola Tinubu declared insecurity and poverty national emergencies during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration in Abuja
• He said both crises threaten jobs, productivity and Nigeria’s economic stability
• Tinubu described insecurity and poverty as “hydra-headed challenges” affecting livelihoods and investor confidence

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, May 1, declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies, warning that both crises now pose a grave threat to jobs, productivity and Nigeria’s overall stability.

Tinubu made the declaration during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, where he addressed thousands of workers and labour leaders across the country.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President said Nigeria could not achieve meaningful employment or economic growth in an atmosphere defined by fear, hunger and economic hardship.

According to a statement issued by the SGF’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu said insecurity and poverty had become critical barriers to national development and must be addressed with urgency through coordinated and sustained interventions.

“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.

“These hydra-headed challenges, the government notes, have been treated as a national emergency due to their impact on productivity, livelihoods, and the confidence of both workers and employers.

“The administration also acknowledged that insecurity and poverty remain major obstacles to building a peaceful Nigeria where citizens can sleep with their eyes closed, and to achieving the Decent Work Agenda as envisioned by the International Labour Organisation.

“The agenda is not merely an international framework but a national imperative, aligned with its vision of a country where hard work is rewarded, opportunities are accessible without discrimination, and every citizen can reach their full potential,” he said.

Tinubu said his administration had intensified efforts to confront both crises through security expansion, welfare support and economic reforms designed to protect livelihoods and create jobs.

He cited the Community Protection Guards Initiative as one of the administration’s major security interventions, noting that 45,000 young Nigerians had been recruited to strengthen grassroots security while also reducing unemployment.

The President also pointed to key social interventions under his Renewed Hope Agenda, including expanded cash transfer programmes that he said now reach 15 million vulnerable households and have lifted an estimated 7.5 million Nigerians out of poverty.

He added that major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, had generated more than 600,000 jobs across the country.

On workers’ welfare, Tinubu said his administration had implemented a new national minimum wage, cleared pension arrears and resumed gratuity payments from January 2026.

He added that more than 800,000 informal sector workers had been enrolled in the micro pension scheme, while small businesses were receiving support through the N200 billion Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises intervention fund.

Describing insecurity and poverty as “hydra-headed challenges,” the President said both issues had become a national emergency because of their far-reaching effects on livelihoods, productivity and investor confidence.

He said the Federal Government’s anti-poverty strategy was built on a multi-dimensional approach focused on job creation, economic diversification and social protection.

Tinubu listed several interventions rolled out between 2024 and 2026, including the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro-pocket, dry season farming programmes, mechanisation support, post-harvest management and financial inclusion initiatives through the Bank of Agriculture.

He also said the government had deployed 10,000 Agro-Rangers through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps across 19 states to safeguard farmers, farmlands and agricultural investments.

Addressing organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Tinubu urged workers to prioritise dialogue and caution in resolving industrial disputes.

“Strike should be the last resort, not the first,” he said.

The President also commended security personnel for their sacrifices in protecting lives and property and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace, strengthening economic confidence and improving working conditions nationwide.

Tinubu expressed optimism that Nigeria would overcome its present challenges and build a more stable future where decent work is available to all.

“We are committed to improving working conditions, promoting fair wages and ensuring that every Nigerian worker enjoys dignity, safety and equal opportunity in the workplace,” he added.

Akpabio commends Nigerian workers, pledges improved welfare on workers’ day

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Senate President Godswill Akpabio congratulated Nigerian workers on the occasion of International Workers’ Day, praising their resilience, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to national development despite prevailing economic challenges.

In a statement personally signed and released on Friday through his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio lauded the contributions of workers across all sectors, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s growth and democratic stability.