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Nigeria’s organised labour has rejected claims of economic improvement under the current administration, insisting that any reported growth is not translating into better living conditions for ordinary citizens. The position was strongly echoed during the 2026 Workers’ Day commemorations, where labour leaders argued that the economy is increasingly structured to benefit a small elite while millions of workers continue to face hardship.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) warned that despite government assurances, inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and falling purchasing power have worsened the reality of most households. Labour leaders said workers are now trapped in a system where wages cannot meet basic needs, and informal workers—who make up the majority of Nigeria’s workforce—remain without social protection or stable income. 
They further argued that government reforms, including fiscal and subsidy policies, have not delivered meaningful relief, stressing that economic indicators alone cannot define progress when citizens are struggling to survive. According to them, Nigeria’s recovery narrative is misleading because it reflects macroeconomic figures rather than human welfare, with most gains concentrated among a very small segment of the population. 
Labour leaders called for urgent intervention in key areas such as wage restructuring, job protection, and social welfare expansion, warning that continued neglect could deepen inequality and social tension. They maintained that until economic policies directly improve the lives of workers, claims of national growth will remain disconnected from everyday reality.
