The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned the state of the nation two years into President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying workers and ordinary Nigerians have endured increased suffering with no tangible benefits. NLC President Joe Ajaero described the government’s promises of economic revival as empty rhetoric that has only worsened hardship.
When Tinubu took office in May 2023, he pledged bold reforms to rescue Nigeria’s faltering economy. However, according to Ajaero, the reality has been soaring fuel prices, runaway inflation, and a depreciating naira—policies reminiscent of past failed neoliberal measures that have repeatedly impoverished the masses while enriching a few elites.
The sudden removal of petrol subsidies pushed prices from ₦187 to over ₦600 per litre overnight, triggering an inflationary spiral that forced many families to skip meals and businesses to close. Transport costs have surged, wages eroded, and local industries struggle to survive under rising input costs. These economic shocks have compounded the plight of workers, pensioners, and small businesses, with many Nigerians now classified as multidimensionally poor.
Labour leaders say they have faced intimidation and repression for protesting these conditions, with court orders ignored and wage arrears left unpaid. The only modest relief has been the government’s introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to ease transportation, a move deemed grossly insufficient amid severe gas infrastructure deficits.
Dialogue promised by the government has been replaced by crackdowns on union protests. While ordinary Nigerians grapple with hunger and job losses, political elites continue lavish spending, deepening the divide between the rulers and the ruled. The true beneficiaries of current economic policies, the NLC argues, are oil cartels, currency speculators, and foreign financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank.
The labour movement also highlights the deteriorating security situation, with insurgency, kidnappings, and banditry making daily life unsafe for millions. This insecurity undermines any potential economic progress, discouraging investment and further destabilizing the country. The NLC insists that addressing insecurity must take precedence over fiscal policies in the hierarchy of national priorities.
State-level labour leaders echoed these criticisms. Lagos TUC Chairman Gbenga Ekundayo condemned the subsidy removal as a direct blow to Nigeria’s transport-dependent economy. Kwara NLC Chairman Saheed Olayinka warned that the worst economic hardships lie ahead, while Bauchi TUC Chairman Sabiu Barau lamented the persistent high cost of living and power shortages. Benue TUC Chairman Gideon Akaa rejected Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria’s worst days are over, citing ongoing inflation, insecurity, and high electricity tariffs.
In response, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East) Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu dismissed the NLC’s appraisal as shallow and politically motivated, urging a more informed dialogue based on economic expertise. He praised Tinubu’s administration for its reforms and predicted that its positive impact will be recognized more fully after its tenure.
In his national broadcast marking two years in office, President Tinubu acknowledged the hardships caused by his reforms but emphasized that his administration remains committed to building a stable and prosperous Nigeria. He expressed appreciation for citizens’ patience and reaffirmed his resolve to continue pushing policies aimed at long-term economic stability.
Despite government optimism, the NLC’s message remains clear: Nigerians face worsening hardship, and urgent action is needed to address economic woes, insecurity, and workers’ rights before any real progress can be claimed.