President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on workers to remain patient with his administration regarding their demands, citing economic hardship as a global phenomenon.
He made this appeal at the 2025 May Day celebration with the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship”.
This is just as the leaderships of both the Nigeria Labour Congress and and the Trade Union Congress asked the President for the upward review of retirement age for all categories of civil servants.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said he was aware that Nigerians, especially workers faced rising costs of living, hunger, insecurity and unemployment.
He also said he was aware that some workers were losing their means of livelihoods and the pressure to provide necessities for their families, promising to address all the aforementioned challenges soon.
“Economic hardship, which today is a global phenomenon, cuts across all regions, testing the resolve of world leaders, but has not broken our spirit. As your President, I assure you that this administration is committed to creating such a utopic climate for the common good.
“I am well aware of the peculiarities of this economic hardship for Nigerians which is occasioned by the struggles and challenges you workers and indeed many Nigerians face ranging from rising costs of living, hunger, insecurity, unemployment, loss of livelihoods and the pressure to provide necessities for your families, amongst others.
“These challenges are real, critical and demand definite solutions, which I as your President is poised to address. It is in this regard that my administration is not only committed but intentional in formulating and implementing policies that promote job creation, decent jobs, poverty alleviation, economic growth and stability, as well as supporting the most vulnerable among us.”
NLC President Joe Ajaero, speaking on behalf of both labour unions, urged the President to consider reviewing the retirement age for all categories of civil servants to 65 years. “It is imperative to extend the revised retirement age of 65 years or 40 years of service currently enjoyed by teachers, health professionals, and judges to all public servants,” Ajaero said, highlighting one of the key demands of the NLC.
