Two prominent Nigerian labour leaders, Andrew Emelieze and Itoro Obong, have written a letter to the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations (UN) over what they describe as the exploitation of workers by the administration of President Bola Tinubu. The letter, submitted by the leaders of the Federal Workers’ Forum (FWF), has brought attention to their deep concerns regarding the harsh treatment of Nigerian workers under the current government.
Emelieze, the former Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State, and Obong, the Vice Chairman of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists of Nigeria in Akwa Ibom State, are both leading voices in the movement that seeks to hold the Nigerian government accountable for what they consider widespread worker exploitation. They have also announced their plans to organise an indefinite protest beginning on April 22, 2025, in response to the government’s alleged failure to improve the welfare of Nigerian workers.
The leaders are accusing President Tinubu’s government of worsening the plight of workers by implementing policies they claim are unfavourable to their rights and economic well-being. In their letter, they outlined the challenges Nigerian workers have been facing under the administration, including low wages, inflation, and high cost of living, and called on international bodies like the ILO and the UN to intervene.
“The executive has been very harsh on workers through their ugly policies, and our legislature, the National Assembly, and other regional assemblies have never legislated in support of decent work or fair wages,” Emelieze and Obong said in the letter. “The current government in Nigeria has not proven to be any different from previous administrations. Workers are treated with disdain and disrespect, with no regard for their well-being.”
A major point of contention for the labour leaders is the rise in the price of petroleum products, which they argue has led to higher living costs for workers. They also pointed to the deliberate devaluation of the naira and the continuing price hikes on essential goods, which have all contributed to a general feeling of economic strain among Nigerian workers. The leaders contend that these policies have compounded the financial challenges faced by the working class in the country, leaving them struggling to make ends meet.
“While salaries have remained abysmally low, President Tinubu and his team have continued to implement policies that harm workers,” the leaders wrote, highlighting the recent hikes in the price of fuel, which have further strained the average Nigerian worker’s purchasing power. “We have witnessed double-digit inflation, and the prices of almost everything have gone up, while wages remain stagnant.”
Emelieze and Obong also criticised the government for flouting international conventions designed to protect workers’ rights. They pointed out that Nigeria has failed to adhere to several agreements set forth by the ILO and the UN, which promote decent work conditions, fair pay for work, and the protection of workers’ rights. The union leaders expressed concern that the Nigerian government’s actions are not only violating these agreements but are also contributing to widespread instability and dissatisfaction among the populace.
“The Nigerian government has repeatedly ignored international conventions of the ILO and the UN,” the letter reads. “These conventions are designed to ensure fair wages and decent working conditions, but the Nigerian state has continued to act in ways that disregard these standards.” They argue that this breach of international standards has far-reaching implications, not just for Nigerian workers, but for global peace and security as well.
In a particularly stark statement, the labour leaders suggested that the economic and social conditions in Nigeria are pushing many citizens to risk their lives in dangerous attempts to migrate to Europe. They highlighted the dangerous journeys migrants take across the Mediterranean Sea in search of better opportunities, suggesting that the failure of the Nigerian government to improve working conditions and wages is contributing to this desperate outflow of people.
“The situation in Nigeria is an existential threat to the general populace in the country and a threat to world peace and security,” they wrote. “Perhaps one of the reasons Nigeria is coming tops in deadly migrant journeys across dangerous waters to Europe is because of the abysmal conditions that the Nigerian workers face.”
The FWF leaders have made it clear that they will not back down in their fight for workers’ rights, and they are urging international bodies like the ILO and the UN to take appropriate action against the Nigerian government. They have called for sanctions on both the Nigerian government and the National Labour Congress (NLC)/Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their alleged failure to protect the rights of workers and address the ongoing issues.
The labour leaders’ decision to go public with their complaints and seek international support underscores the gravity of their concerns. By targeting the ILO and the UN, they hope to bring global attention to what they see as a widespread violation of workers’ rights in Nigeria, a country with a large and growing workforce that continues to face economic hardship despite its vast natural resources.
As part of their protest, Emelieze and Obong have announced plans for an indefinite demonstration beginning on April 22, 2025. The protest is expected to draw thousands of workers who share similar grievances over their treatment by the government. The leaders have urged Nigerian workers to stand united in their demand for better wages, improved working conditions, and policies that promote economic justice for all.
“We will not allow the rights of Nigerian workers to be trampled upon,” Emelieze and Obong declared. “This is a fight for justice, and we will continue to push for fair treatment and a better life for all Nigerian workers.”
The call for international intervention, however, has sparked mixed reactions within the country. Supporters of the government argue that the labour leaders’ claims are exaggerated and do not fully reflect the complexities of the economic challenges Nigeria is facing. They contend that the government is doing its best to address the country’s economic difficulties, including tackling inflation and improving infrastructure, and that the economic hardships workers face are a result of global economic factors beyond the government’s control.
Opponents, however, have backed the labour leaders’ stance, with many arguing that the government’s policies are indeed harming Nigerian workers and leading to greater inequality. Critics point to the ongoing struggles of workers in both the public and private sectors, and the rising cost of living as evidence that the government is failing to address the needs of the Nigerian workforce.
