IDNN NATIONAL WATCH – LOOMING WORKERS’ PROTEST: LABOUR LEADERS ACCUSE TINUBU GOVT OF ‘HELLISH CONDITIONS’ FOR CIVIL SERVANTS
By IDNN Abuja Bureau | April 14, 2025 |
WORKERS RAGE BUILDS: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACCUSED OF SYSTEMIC ABUSE
A wave of discontent is rising across Nigeria’s federal workforce as two labour leaders, Andrew Emelieze and Itoro Obong, have issued a formal petition to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the United Nations (UN), alleging persistent exploitation and inhumane treatment of Nigerian workers by the Federal Government.
The petition, submitted under the banner of the Federal Workers’ Forum (FWF), accuses the administration of President Bola Tinubu of perpetuating a long-standing legacy of worker neglect, stagnant wages, and economic strangulation.
“President Tinubu is subjecting Nigerian workers to hellish conditions,” the statement read. “There is a total lack of interest in workers’ wellbeing.”
PETITION TO ILO, UN: “WE’VE HAD ENOUGH”
In a letter sent from Ibadan and shared with The Guardian, Emelieze—a former TUC chairman in Oyo State—and Obong—Vice Chair of the Association of Hospital and Administrative Pharmacists in Akwa Ibom—described a looming indefinite protest beginning April 22, 2025.
“We represent all sectors of the federal public service except political appointees,” the duo stated. “All arms of government—executive, legislative, judiciary—have failed the Nigerian worker.”
ACCUSATIONS OF STATE-SPONSORED ECONOMIC SUFFOCATION
The FWF leaders criticized not only the Tinubu administration but also its predecessors, saying all levels of government have consistently enacted policies that undermine workers’ welfare.
They cited:
- Fuel price hikes
- Deliberate naira devaluation
- Soaring inflation
- Stagnant public sector wages
“Salaries are abysmally poor, yet the government continues to increase the cost of living,” the letter stated.
FG SUES LABOUR BODIES IN RESPONSE
In a swift response to the unrest, the Federal Government has filed a lawsuit against the NLC and TUC over the nationwide protest threats, escalating tensions further between the state and organised labour.
The case marks a deepening confrontation amid Nigeria’s fragile economic climate and rising civil unrest.