President Bola Tinubu has declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies, warning that both pose serious threats to jobs, productivity, and Nigeria’s overall stability.
The declaration was made during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, where the president addressed workers through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
According to a statement by his media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the president emphasised that meaningful employment and economic growth cannot thrive in an environment marked by fear, hardship, and instability.
He noted that insecurity and poverty remain major obstacles to national development, affecting farms, factories, markets, and other economic activities. The administration, he said, is treating both challenges with urgency through coordinated and sustained interventions.
The president also linked the efforts to the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organisation, describing it as a national priority aimed at ensuring fair opportunities, improved livelihoods, and inclusive growth.
As part of ongoing efforts, Tinubu highlighted the Community Protection Guards Initiative, which has reportedly recruited 45,000 young Nigerians to enhance local security while creating employment opportunities.
He also pointed to economic and social programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including expanded cash transfers targeting 15 million vulnerable households, with claims that about 7.5 million Nigerians have been lifted out of poverty.
On infrastructure, the president said major projects such as the Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta Kaduna Kano Gas Pipeline have generated over 600,000 jobs nationwide.
Addressing workers’ welfare, he stated that his administration has implemented a new national minimum wage, cleared pension arrears, and reintroduced gratuity payments starting from January 2026.
He added that more than 800,000 informal sector workers have been enrolled in the micro pension scheme, while small businesses continue to benefit from a 200 billion naira support fund for micro, small, and medium enterprises.
The president reiterated that tackling insecurity and poverty remains central to achieving economic stability, improving living standards, and restoring confidence among workers and employers across the country.
