2025 MAY DAY Celebration: Nigerian Workers Still Crying for Implementation of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage by RSM Reporter
2025 MAY DAY Celebration: Nigerian Workers Still Crying for Implementation of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage
By RSM Reporter
This year’s May Day celebration was not much different from previous years, due to the deepening socio-economic crisis engulfing the entire country. Many workers have still not seen the full implementation of the new ₦70,000 minimum wage. With inflation at 34.5%, both the federal and many state governments have refused to pay workers the new minimum wage. Meanwhile, labour leaders have failed to launch a serious fightback or mass campaign to demand full implementation across the board.
Since the last aborted general strike, there has been no significant mobilization by the labour unions to enforce the new wage. Despite this, thousands of workers from various union affiliates still turned out at May Day centres across Nigeria—except in Rivers State, where a deepening political crisis has taken hold. The federal government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has installed a sole administrator to govern the state, effectively removing the elected PDP governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara—a move widely condemned across the country.
At Eagle Square, the main May Day venue in the Federal Capital Territory, the rally began around 11:45 a.m. with the arrival of labour leaders and other dignitaries. The event saw a lower turnout than in previous years, but there were visible signs of anger and hardship on the faces of many workers—reflecting the severe suffering imposed by Tinubu’s anti-worker, capitalist policies.
Security and screening by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies at the entrance to Eagle Square were somewhat relaxed this year, likely due to the absence of President Tinubu and other high-profile members of the ruling political elite. Nonetheless, the usual checks on bags, banners, and placards continued. DSS agents reportedly attempted to confiscate materials critical of the regime at the entrance, but workers resisted. During the march-past, many workers boldly displayed placards with demands such as: “Pay Us New Minimum Wage,” “No to Casualization,” “We Are Hungry,” “President Tinubu, We Are Suffering,” and others.
THE REALITY OF NIGERIAN WORKERS
The reality for Nigerian workers is that there is nothing to celebrate. They are forced to pretend all is well and gather to mark a day supposedly dedicated to them. Despite repeated promises of reform from the ruling elite, millions of workers continue to face low wages, poor labour protections, mass layoffs, inadequate remuneration, and unsafe working conditions.
Although the theme of this year’s May Day celebration was “Reclaiming the Civic Space Amidst Economic Hardship,” the frustration was written all over the faces of workers. Many no longer trust the labour leadership. Both the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) appear to have failed Nigerian workers, particularly in defending their interests regarding the payment of the new minimum wage. This lack of trust reflects how battered and demoralised workers are by the economic distress and ongoing anti-worker policies.
Across various states and sectors, workers expressed the deepening crisis they face in daily life—marked by inflation, underemployment, high unemployment, poor infrastructure, and outright disregard for labour protection laws by both capitalist employers and the government.
One of the most urgent demands remains the full implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, signed into law by the federal government in 2024. Unfortunately, more than a year later, a large portion of the workforce has yet to receive this wage, while inflation continues to rise.
The former president of the NLC, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, officially opened the rally. He called on the Nigerian government to implement the minimum wage and end the widespread insecurity across the country. He condemned the continued assault on the living standards of the working class and demanded free, functional, and quality healthcare and education for all Nigerians. He also called for an end to the jumbo pay of political officeholders, noting its negative impact on the economy, and urged for better welfare packages for retirees.
The event had few top government representatives in attendance. Among them were the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Maigari Dingyadi, and the Minister of State, Barr. Nkeiruka C. Onyejeocha. As usual, they delivered their standard promises, acknowledging workers’ suffering and claiming the government is working hard to ease their hardship.
RSM comrades at the May Day rally.
Labour leaders from the TUC and NLC also followed their familiar pattern of offering rhetoric with no concrete action. They called for tax cuts, better retirement benefits, a reversal of the emergency declaration in Rivers State, salary adjustments, withdrawal of new tax bills, a reduction in telecommunications tariffs from 50% to 35%, and an increase in the retirement age to 65 for all categories of civil servants. These demands, correct as they may be, were made without any serious action plan or strategy to pressure the Tinubu-led administration into stopping its anti-worker policies.
The event concluded around 3:00 p.m. with a workers’ march-past. Comrades of the Revolutionary Socialist Movement (RSM) were present, selling the latest edition of Socialist Voice, the RSM’s newspaper. Although participation was lower, still a number of workers expressed interest in joining our struggle.