President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies, describing both issues as serious threats to employment, economic growth, and national stability.
Speaking during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, the president said decent work and economic progress cannot flourish in an atmosphere dominated by fear, violence, and hardship.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu stated that his administration recognises the damaging impact of insecurity and poverty and is taking steps to tackle both challenges aggressively.
According to the president, the government launched the Community Protection Guards Initiative, which has reportedly provided employment opportunities for 45,000 young Nigerians while strengthening local security efforts.
Tinubu also highlighted several economic and social intervention programmes under his Renewed Hope Agenda. He said cash transfer programmes have reached millions of vulnerable households, with efforts aimed at reducing poverty levels nationwide.
He further revealed that major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, have created hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country.
On labour welfare, the president said his administration has introduced a new national minimum wage, settled pension arrears, and resumed gratuity payments beginning from January 2026.
He added that more than 800,000 workers in the informal sector have been enrolled into the government’s micro-pension scheme, while small and medium-scale enterprises continue to benefit from a ₦200 billion support intervention fund.
Tinubu stressed that insecurity and poverty remain major barriers to achieving the decent work agenda promoted by the International Labour Organization.
He noted that the government remains committed to coordinated and long-term strategies aimed at restoring security, improving livelihoods, and strengthening public confidence in the economy.
Addressing labour unions such as the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, the president urged workers and union leaders to prioritise dialogue in resolving disputes, insisting that strikes should only be considered as a final option.
Tinubu also praised members of the security agencies for their efforts in protecting lives and economic activities across the country, adding that improved security is essential for attracting investment and creating jobs.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to overcome insecurity and reduce poverty, expressing confidence that every Nigerian would eventually have access to decent work and equal opportunities.
