The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has raised the alarm over what it described as worsening financial insecurity confronting Nigerian workers, warning that low incomes, surging inflation, and weak social support systems are pushing many into extreme hardship. The union said the situation now threatens the survival, productivity, and long-term wellbeing of the country’s workforce.
The NLC made this known in a press release issued on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Speaking on behalf of the congress, the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, said Nigerian workers are facing one of the most severe survival crises in the nation’s history, exacerbated by high inflation, stagnant wages, and rising insecurity across the country. He said urgent government intervention is required to avert further economic and social damage.
In the statement, titled “Financial Insecurity: A Scourge in the Lives of Nigerian Workers,” the NLC said workers’ incomes have continued to decline despite increased effort, leaving many unable to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and transportation. Mr. Ajaero said the average Nigerian worker now earns far less in real terms than workers in several other African countries, including those affected by conflict.
He noted that inflation, which the congress said exceeded 30 per cent in 2024, has significantly eroded workers’ purchasing power. According to him, although official figures suggest a moderation in inflation, the lived reality shows persistent increases in the prices of essential goods. He added that the national minimum wage of ₦70,000 is no longer sufficient to cover basic living costs, especially as the price of a bag of rice now exceeds the minimum wage.
The NLC President also blamed the depreciation of the naira for the rising cost of imported goods, fuel, and services. He said this has translated into higher transportation fares and production costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers, further compounding the burden on workers.
Mr. Ajaero said food inflation has made proper nutrition unaffordable for many workers, with food expenses accounting for as much as 80 per cent of monthly income in some cases. He added that rising unemployment and underemployment have weakened workers’ bargaining power and accelerated the spread of informal, low-paying jobs that offer little or no job security.
He further said weak social safety nets have worsened the crisis, noting that many workers lack access to unemployment benefits, health insurance, and adequate pension coverage. According to him, even contributors under the Contributory Pension Scheme face growing uncertainty due to low contributions and broader economic instability.
The NLC also highlighted high housing rents, transportation costs, multiple taxes, and statutory deductions as major pressures on workers’ take-home pay. Mr. Ajaero said frequent increases in electricity tariffs, telecommunications charges, and highway tolls continue to erode incomes without corresponding improvements in public services.
He added that poor public infrastructure has compelled workers to spend heavily on private power supply, water, security, and healthcare. According to the congress, rising insecurity across the country has also disrupted livelihoods, displaced families, and destroyed workers’ assets in several regions.
In conclusion, Mr. Ajaero said Nigerian workers are trapped between economic instability and systemic failures, making savings and long-term financial planning nearly impossible. He warned that unless urgent steps are taken to stabilise the economy, improve wages, and strengthen social protections, financial insecurity will continue to undermine workers’ welfare and Nigeria’s economic future.
“It is in the interest of the government and the nation to urgently address these threats confronting Nigerian workers,” he said.
