The combined impact of soaring fuel prices, expensive transportation, and high food costs has pushed millions of workers closer to poverty, leaving many unable to meet basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and education.
Workers are facing the harshest survival conditions in decades, with economic pressure reaching a breaking point. When daily survival becomes a struggle, workers are exposed to stress, insecurity, and declining dignity.
The removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023 triggered sharp increases in petrol prices, which cascaded into higher transport fares and food costs nationwide. Food expenses alone now consume up to 80 per cent of an average worker’s monthly income, leaving little room for savings or emergencies.
Economic strain intensified after the unification of foreign exchange rates, which caused the naira to lose significant value. The depreciation led to higher prices for imported goods, fuel, and essential services, further reducing workers’ purchasing power and worsening living conditions.
Although the Federal Government approved a new ₦70,000 minimum wage in 2024, inflation has largely neutralised its benefits. Implementation remains uneven across states and sectors, while the rising cost of food and rent has left many workers no better off. The cost of essential food items now exceeds the monthly income of many workers.
The crisis has also affected education and healthcare sectors, with lecturers and health workers protesting unpaid allowances, poor working conditions, and underfunding. Continued neglect could lead to burnout and declining service delivery, forcing citizens to rely on costly private alternatives.
Workers’ poverty has been linked to growing insecurity across the country, including kidnappings and banditry, which disrupt livelihoods and make commuting to work increasingly dangerous.
Labour leaders have opposed newly introduced tax laws, arguing that workers were not adequately consulted. There have been calls for a suspension of the laws pending nationwide sensitisation, as additional taxes could worsen the already fragile economic situation.
In a call to action, workers have been urged to unite and demand economic justice, stronger social protection, fair taxation, and meaningful engagement with labour unions. Without urgent structural reforms, workers’ living conditions may deteriorate further in 2026.
