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By Aminah Salako & Sola Rotimi
In commemoration of the 2026 Workers’ Day, workers in Kwara State converged on the Kwara State Stadium complex to commemorate the day.
In his address, the Kwara State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Muritala Olayinka, emphasised that the theme for this year’s May Day “Insecurity, Poverty, Bane of Decent Work” is timely, urgent and honest as it reflects the plight of the average Nigerian worker.
He lamented that workers cannot walk safely to their workplaces due to insecurity, adding that a worker whose wages cannot feed their family is not dignified.
The Kwara NLC Chairman, stressed that the patience of the Nigerian worker is not definite, as it has endured, negotiated, and appealed, but will not surrender its dignity and will defend the course of workers through continued struggle.
In commemoration of the 2026 Workers’ Day, workers in Kwara State gathered at the Kwara State Stadium Complex to mark the occasion.
In his address, the Kwara State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC Comrade Muritala Olayinka, described the theme of this year’s May Day “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work”, as timely, urgent, and reflective of the realities faced by the average Nigerian worker.
He lamented the worsening security situation, noting that many workers can no longer walk safely to their workplaces.
He further stressed that a worker whose wages are insufficient to provide for their family cannot be said to enjoy dignity in labour.
Comrade Olayinka also emphasised that the patience of Nigerian workers is not limitless, adding that workers have endured, negotiated, and made repeated appeals, but will not surrender their dignity.
He affirmed that the labour movement remains committed to defending workers’ rights through continued and lawful struggle.
For workers in Kwara State, the NLC Chairman demanded the implementation of a minimum pension of ₦60,000, in line with the request made by the national President of the Union, Comrade Joe Ajaero, during the 2025 Pensioners’ Day celebration.
He also appealed to the Kwara State Government to consider qualified local government staff for appointment as Permanent Secretaries, to promote fairness, inclusivity, and career progression within the Civil Service.
Among other demands, he called for the domestication of the Federal Government’s approval to increase the retirement age of health workers from 60 to 65 years, as well as the extension of their maximum years of service from 35 to 40 years.
The Kwara NLC Chairman further urged all affiliate unions, including NUT, NUPENG, SSANU, NASU, JOHESU, NULGE, NURTW, the Artisans Congress, and others under the umbrella of the NLC and TUC, to strengthen their internal structures and organizational capacity.
