By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Friday assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly is aware of their economic challenges and remains committed to improving their welfare through legislative measures.

The former Akwa Ibom State governor gave the assurance in a congratulatory message to mark the 2026 International Workers’ Day, issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh.

Akpabio acknowledged the difficulties faced by workers and pledged the Senate’s continued intervention through legislation aimed at improving living conditions and workplace standards.

He said, “The 10th National Assembly recognises the challenges workers face, from rising costs of living to workplace demands.

“I assure you that the Senate remains unwavering in its commitment to legislating for a living wage, safer workplaces, pension reforms, and policies that expand job creation and protect the dignity of labour.

“The passage of the new National Minimum Wage Act and the implementation of workers’ welfare packages are testaments to this commitment.”

His message comes against the backdrop of mounting economic pressures on Nigerian workers, including rising inflation, the high cost of living, and concerns over wage sustainability, which have continued to dominate national discourse.

The Senate President also called on employers across sectors to prioritise workers’ welfare, stressing the link between productivity and improved working conditions.

“Today, we celebrate you—the teachers who mould our future, the farmers who feed our nation, the doctors and nurses who heal our land, the artisans, traders, civil servants, security personnel, and private sector employees whose daily toil builds Nigeria.

“You are the true heroes of our democracy and the engine of our economy.

“To organised labour, I commend your constructive engagements and patriotism. The Senate will continue to partner with the NLC, TUC and all affiliates to ensure that the voice of the Nigerian worker is heard and respected in the chambers of policy and law,” he stated.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has lamented the worsening economic hardship Nigerian workers face under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.

Mr Abubakar also said Mr Tinubu’s campaign mantra of ‘Renewed Hope’ has failed to translate into tangible relief for Nigeria’s citizens.

In a message on Friday to mark Workers’ Day, Mr Abubakar said, “Every first day of May, nations across the world pause to honour the dignity of labour and the men and women whose sweat and toil sustain civilisation. In Nigeria, Workers’ Day has always carried a particular poignancy, a moment to celebrate the resilience of a workforce that endures much and receives little.

“But as we mark this year’s commemoration, I write not with celebration in my heart, but with grief. Grief for the Nigerian worker who was promised renewed hope and received instead renewed hardship.”

The former vice-president added, “The Nigerian worker, the teacher, the nurse, the factory hand, the civil servant, the artisan, has been the primary victim of an administration that, by all observable evidence, is far more interested in increasing the revenue at its disposal than in improving the lives of the citizens it governs.”

However, he acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy by Mr Tinubu was a necessary reform but faulted the manner in which the policy was implemented.

“A responsible government would have spent the preceding months preparing Nigerians for this transition, establishing social safety nets, empowering the most vulnerable, and ensuring that the pain of reform was shared equitably. This administration did none of that. It simply removed the subsidy and left the Nigerian worker to drown,” the opposition figure explained.

Mr Abubakar called on the government to prioritise policies that directly improve the welfare of Nigerian workers, including social safety nets, wage adjustments, and targeted economic interventions, pointing out that the Nigerian worker “deserves genuine renewal, not the Orwellian version. A renewal that is tangible, measurable and real. Not as a slogan. But as a lived reality.”

The National Coordinator of the Public Enlightenment Movement, Nuhu Abdullahi Balarabe, has unveiled Phase 7 of the organisation’s project update, highlighting major infrastructure and healthcare achievements recorded across Northern Nigeria under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Addressing members of the press, Nuhu said the initiative remains committed to providing verified information on government projects and developmental progress across the northern states.

He explained that the Public Enlightenment Movement was established to promote transparency, public awareness and citizen engagement by documenting and disseminating updates on strategic national projects.
According to him, the latest phase focuses on critical infrastructure interventions aimed at boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.

Among the projects highlighted is the ongoing reconstruction of the Ajingi–Jahun–Kafin Hausa Road linking parts of Kano State and Jigawa State, which is expected to ease transportation of agricultural produce and improve trade activities across the corridor.

He also noted progress on the dualisation of the Minna–Bida Road in Niger State, describing it as a strategic route expected to reduce travel time and improve road safety for commuters.

Nuhu Abdullahi further highlighted the accelerated completion of the Kaduna Western Bypass in Kaduna State, noting that the project is designed to improve movement for residents and travellers connecting to the Abuja corridor.

In the same vein, he said the rehabilitation of the previously neglected Shiroro Road in Niger State has significantly shortened travel distances and revitalised economic activities in surrounding communities.

On healthcare, the National Coordinator described the establishment of a world-class cancer centre at Federal Teaching Hospital Katsina as a landmark achievement in the health sector.

According to him, the facility is among the country’s top oncology centres, equipped with modern medical infrastructure aimed at making quality cancer treatment accessible and affordable for Nigerians.

He also cited progress on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, noting that the highway project is advancing steadily across six states with the integration of smart infrastructure such as streetlights and CCTV surveillance to enhance security and traffic management.

Nuhu stated that the projects outlined in the Phase 7 briefing reflect broader national efforts to improve infrastructure, healthcare delivery and economic resilience.

He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining public awareness on government interventions and national development initiatives.

“The projects detailed in this briefing are a testament to the wider national transformation currently underway.

While this phase focuses on northern Nigeria, it reflects a broader commitment to building a resilient, interconnected and healthier nation,” he said.

He thanked members of the media and citizens for their continued support of the Public Enlightenment Movement and called for sustained public engagement in national development.