President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Festus Osifo, has called on the Federal Government to take bold and urgent steps in tackling insecurity, unemployment, workers’ welfare, casualization, and the growing number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja at the inaugural Quadrennial Delegates Conference themed “The Future of Work – Ensuring Fair Labour Practices and Economic Justice in a Digital Era”, Osifo lamented the deteriorating economic conditions, which he said have severely impacted Nigerian workers.
He noted that the depreciation of the Naira, coupled with growing insecurity, has led to food scarcity, worsening the hardship faced by citizens. According to him, insecurity has forced many farmers in regions such as Plateau, Benue, and Borno to abandon their farms, disrupting food production in Nigeria’s major agricultural belts.
“One of the reasons food prices are skyrocketing today is the insecurity in places like Plateau, Benue, and Borno,” he said. “These areas are our country’s food baskets, but lives are no longer safe on farmlands.”
Osifo stressed that the high rate of unemployment, particularly among the youth, is further fueling the insecurity crisis. “We are feeding the insecurity net. If people do not have jobs, they are likely to turn to alternative means to survive. Government must urgently develop strategies to create sufficient employment opportunities,” he said.
He also expressed deep concern about the alarming number of out-of-school children, urging federal, state, and local governments to collaborate and prioritize education as a tool for national development.
“We cannot accept a country with 20 to 40 million out-of-school children. This situation encourages child labour, which the ILO and trade unions globally are fighting to eradicate,” he said.
On the issue of casualization, Osifo criticized employers who exploit workers by offering short-term contracts lasting only two to six months. He described the treatment of casual workers as unjust, calling for a renewed focus on promoting decent work.
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“The most important factor in production is the people. Government must ensure that decent work becomes a national priority,” he stated.
In her remarks, the Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Ghana, Vanessa Phala, praised TUC for its advocacy efforts and pledged continued support from the ILO.
“We are aware of the challenges ahead, but we remain committed to supporting you,” she said. “Negotiating a new minimum wage was a step forward, but implementation remains key. We encourage you to continue advocating to ensure no Nigerian worker earns below the legal threshold.”
Phala also emphasized the importance of social dialogue in resolving labour issues, urging both government and labour centres to remain committed to constructive engagement despite differences.
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