By Jemimah Wellinton, JKNewsMedia Reporter
AS WORKERS across Nigeria marked International Workers’ Day (IWD), the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) issued a stern call for government action, insisting that only the implementation of a living wage can stem the tide of deepening poverty and economic hardship among the country’s labour force.
The group has joined voices across the country to honour Nigerian workers on the IWD, calling for immediate and sustained efforts by government at all levels to implement a living wage amid worsening socio-economic conditions.
In a statement signed by CAPPA’s Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, the organisation described Nigerian workers as the backbone of the national economy who remain trapped in a cycle of exploitation, poverty wages, and unsafe working conditions.
The organisation warned that without people-centred policy interventions, workers’ contributions would continue to be undervalued and their livelihoods increasingly precarious.
Drawing on data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and other official sources, CAPPA painted a bleak picture of the state of Nigeria’s workforce.
Between 2024 and 2025, the statement noted, workers bore the brunt of inflation and poor economic policies, which have not only eroded real incomes but also rendered basic goods and services largely unaffordable.
The group cited World Bank projections estimating that by the end of 2025, another 13 million Nigerians could fall below the poverty line—joining the already staggering 129 million citizens currently classified as poor.
CAPPA laid blame on the neo-liberal and pro-market policies driven by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), arguing that these programmes, often accompanied by burdensome loans, have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s ongoing economic crisis.
While acknowledging the federal government’s approval of a ₦70,000 minimum wage in 2024, CAPPA stated that the new figure remains insufficient given the inflationary pressures and worsening cost-of-living crisis.
The organisation also lamented that several state governments have yet to implement the revised wage, particularly for local government employees and primary school teachers.
In fact, media reports cited by CAPPA indicate that at least 20 states have failed to meet their obligations, further deepening inequality and hardship among workers.
In a stark comparison, the statement referenced Oxfam data revealing that although the country’s wealthiest employers have seen exponential gains over the past two years, workers’ purchasing power has drastically declined.
CAPPA noted that the real value of today’s ₦70,000 minimum wage equates to the ₦125 minimum wage of the 1980s when adjusted for exchange rates—suggesting that real wages have remained virtually stagnant for decades.
Further compounding the crisis, CAPPA highlighted the Interior Minister Olubunmi Ojo’s recent revelation that 90 per cent of expatriates in the country are employed in roles meant for Nigerians and are working without valid permits.
This, the group warned, not only denies Nigerians legitimate job opportunities but also makes the country vulnerable to an influx of unqualified foreign labour.
CAPPA called for immediate government intervention to plug legal loopholes and hold companies accountable for undermining national employment laws.
“This day serves as a reminder of Nigerian workers’ struggle for dignity, safety, and equity in and out of the workplace,” the statement read.
“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.”
The organisation urged both government and private employers to ensure all workers are fairly compensated and provided with benefits that support their well-being and career development.
Special attention, CAPPA argued, must be directed toward women, youth, and informal sector workers—groups that often face structural disadvantages and additional barriers within the workforce.
The organisation conclusively called on labour unions to use the Workers’ Day platform to push for comprehensive legislative reforms and improved labour protections.
