Our Expectations From Tinubu In The New Year – Labour Leaders

Labour leaders and workers across the country are demanding better welfare, improved working environments, sustainable wages and better national security from the federal government in the new year.

KWARA: Workers Demand People-centred Leadership

The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kwara State, Comrade Saheed Murtala, said Nigerian workers expect far more decisive, people-centred leadership from President Bola Tinubu in the new year.

He said there is the urgent need for Tinubu to prioritise the welfare, dignity, and economic survival of the Nigerian workers.

“First, workers expect a real and enforceable living wage, not mere policy pronouncements. The minimum wage must reflect current economic realities, rising inflation, and the true cost of living, with prompt and uniform implementation across all states.

“Secondly, the president is expected to take bold action to tame inflation, stabilise the naira, and reduce the rising cost of food, transportation, fuel, and housing, which continue to erode workers’ incomes and living standards.

“Crucially, Nigerian workers demand improved security across the country. No meaningful productivity or economic growth can occur where lives and livelihoods are unsafe. The president must decisively tackle insecurity, banditry, kidnapping, terrorism, and communal violence, and ensure the protection of workers, farmers, traders, and commuters across Nigeria,” Murtala said.

According to him, Labour also expects massive investment in job creation, particularly for youths, through industrial revival, support for local manufacturing, and policies that will reduce unemployment and underemployment.

The workers’  union also demanded improved social protection for workers and retirees, including regular payment of salaries and pensions, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and better working conditions in both the public and private sectors.

“The president is also expected to demonstrate respect for labour unions and collective bargaining, ensuring continuous engagement with organised labour before major economic policies are introduced.

“Finally, Nigerian workers want a president who will fight corruption decisively, block economic leakages, and ensure that the sacrifices being demanded of workers translate into visible improvements in governance, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and national security.

“In the new year, labour expects leadership that listens, acts decisively, guarantees security, and places Nigerian workers at the centre of national development,” he said.

DELTA: NLC Calls for Unity, Accountability

On its part, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, has urged citizens to collectively insist on peace, unity, improved security, economic stability, and the overall well-being of the people by holding leaders accountable.

The secretary of NLC, Delta council, Comrade Acrobat Enekhawore, said the New Year should mark a turning point in Nigeria’s national aspirations, calling the President the need for leadership that is responsible, transparent, responsive, and truly accountable to the people.

He added that Nigerians must demand economic reforms capable of creating jobs, reducing poverty, and ensuring access to affordable healthcare, housing, food, and quality education.

“The President should show kindness to civil servants, reward service delivery and improve human capital infrastructure across the state to attract a very cordial relationship between him, the civil service and labour,” he said.

KEBBI: Labour Seeks Pay Rise, Better Welfare

In the  new year, labour leaders in Kebbi State expected more hope from Mr President especially on the welfare of workers in the state and the country.

Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Murtala Usman who made the request during an interview with our reporter in Birnin Kebbi also requested President Bola Tinubu create an enabling environment for all civil servants to feel comfortable.

“We need pay rise which a worker can afford to daily need and face hike to commodities in the markets,” Comrade Usman said.

“A country like Nigeria where there is abundance of resources such as fuel, gas and other endowments, yet a teacher will end up receiving a meagre pay at the end of month,” he lamented.

BORNO: NLC Seeks N70,000 Minimum Wage Review

The Borno State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in its new year expectations urged the state government to implement the N70,000 minimum wage at the local government level as against the 30 per cent salary increment.

The chairman of the NLC in Borno, Comrade Yusuf Inuwa, also urged the State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, to review pensioners’ allowances and pay workers their lingering promotional allowances.

“Our expectations in the new year are that all our promotional allowances will be paid in 2026. The government should also review pensioners’ allowances and implement the N70,000 minimum wage for workers at the local government level.

“Local government workers’ salary was adjusted to 30 per cent. We want a full implementation of the minimum wage for the workers at the local government level,” the NLC chairman said.

BAYELSA: Labour Urges Tinubu to Tackle Insecurity, Improve Economy

In Bayelsa State, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise economic recovery and security in the new year 2026 for the benefit of Nigerians.

The Bayelsa State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Barnabas Simon, said improving the economy would ease the hardship currently faced by citizens across the country, stressing that the situation affects not only civil servants but all Nigerians.

“My expectations from the President are to ensure that the economy of the country is improved for the better for Nigerians, not just civil servants, but all Nigerians. If that is done, insecurity will also be addressed,” Simon said.

He also expressed concern at the worsening insecurity in the country, urging the Federal Government to take urgent steps to curb the challenges in order to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

Speaking on the new tax law, the NLC chairman said organised labour in Bayelsa remains aligned with the position of the national leadership of the congress.

ABIA: Workers Seek Salary Review, Better Work Environment

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend, Abia State Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairman, Ihechi Enogwe, urged the President to address insecurity and ensure workers receive their entitlements, promotions when due, and salaries without agitation.

He also advocated the introduction of measures and services that will enhance their working environment and productivity, such as shuttle bus services from designated bus stops to and from offices.

His NLC counterpart, Okoro Ogbonnaya, urged the President to ensure that all outstanding issues with the union are resolved in addition to addressing security, education, health, infrastructure, and food challenges.

According to him, against the background of the introduction of multiple taxes by the government, there is urgent need for a salary review “to cushion their effects on the civil servants’ meagre salaries”.

EKITI: Labour Tasks President on Security, Welfare

Labour leaders in Ekiti State have said their expectations are that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will prioritise workers’ welfare and take further necessary actions to stem the tide of insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend in Ado-Ekiti, the State chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kolapo Olatunde, said expectations of workers include a review of the N70,000 minimum wage in line with present economic realities.

He urged the President to intensify efforts in tackling renewed insecurity across the country.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) chairperson in the state, Comrade (Dr) Omojola Farotimi, said labour expects improvement in food security, safety of lives and property, and fulfilment of the promise to review the minimum wage every two years.

OSUN: Workers Demand Sustainable Wage

Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress said it was aligning with the position of the national body in their demand for a living wage for workers in Nigeria.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend in Osogbo, chairman of the Osun chapter of the NLC, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, said the present wage is no longer sustainable.

According to him, deregulation and the removal of fuel subsidy on petroleum products have worsened workers’ conditions, rendering the present wage unsustainable.

Arapasopo pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to immediately approve a wage increase that would alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers.