The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urges the Federal Government of Nigeria to raise the retirement age for all civil servants to 65 years or 40 years of service, aligning with conditions already granted to select sectors.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said in his address during the May Day celebration at the Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday that “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.”
He said that equal treatment across all categories of civil servants would promote fairness, boost morale, and enhance efficiency in the public sector.
The NLC President also called for the urgent review of the N70,000 minimum wage, saying that the condition of the Nigerian workers is deplorable.
In his message to the Nigerian workers, President Bola Tinubu reassured Nigerians that his administration would continue to prioritise workers’ welfare, describing the country’s labour force as “the engine of our economy and the secret to our nation’s growth.”
In the message on his official X handle to mark the workers day, President Tinubu addressed “everyone, young and old, entrepreneur or employee, private or government-employed, whose meaningful contributions help, in no small way, to the development of our homes, communities, and our dear nation.”
He added: “Together, we will make Nigeria great again.”
“Our administration has, and will continue to, prioritise workers’ welfare.
“Together, we will make Nigeria great again,” Tinubu added.
In his message to the Nigerian workers, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio commended the workers for their productivity, diligence, commitment to duty and resilience even in the face of socio-economic challenges.
He pledged that under the current administration of President Tinubu and his leadership of the 10th National Assembly no Nigerian worker would be victimised in the course of his duty.
In a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Nigerian workers, noting that they had always prioritised the nation above other considerations.
“Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of Nigerian workers. We, in the Senate and of course, the National Assembly, acknowledge your invaluable contributions to our nation’s development.
“Under our eyes, no Nigerian worker will be victimised on account of expressing himself or herself either in demanding for their rights or seeking legal redress.
“I commend your resilience in the face of challenges and recognise your role in driving our economy forward. Despite obvious challenges, you remain the backbone of our economy. I salute your unwavering commitment to excellence and productivity. Your contributions are vital to our nation’s progress.”
Akpabio assured the workers that the 10th National Assembly would continue to prioritise the welfare, security, safety and condition of service of the workers, noting that labour-friendly legislation would be accorded their deserved attention.
The Senate President also promised to ensure that the rights of workers are duly guaranteed and complied with.
“I must say that Nigerian workers are our pride, and we will not shirk our responsibility to work together with the Executive to address workers’ concerns and create opportunities for growth and prosperity. Together, we shall build a brighter future for Nigerian workers and our great nation.
“On behalf of my family, constituents and the 10th National Assembly, I heartily rejoice with the workers and wish them a fruitful and peaceful celebration,” he said.
The Nigerian government declared Thursday, May 1, as public holiday to enable workers engage in various activities, including parades to celebrate the Workers Day across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.
This year’s Workers Day celebration has the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,”
GIK/APA\