Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration at Eagle Square in Abuja, Tinubu described insecurity and poverty as major national challenges affecting workers’ wellbeing and productivity.

Addressing members of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress, the President said decent work cannot exist where workers are unsafe or where salaries are insufficient to support families.

His appeal comes amid growing tensions over unpaid wages, delayed implementation of the minimum wage and worsening living conditions, issues that have prompted labour unions to threaten nationwide strikes.

Tinubu acknowledged that insecurity has disrupted farming, businesses and economic activities across parts of the country, contributing to unemployment and hunger.

However, he maintained that his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is addressing these challenges through various economic and social programmes.

According to the President, initiatives such as the Community Protection Guards Programme have recruited about 45,000 youths to strengthen local security and create employment opportunities.

He also highlighted ongoing cash transfer programmes targeting 15 million households, saying millions of Nigerians had been lifted out of poverty through government interventions.

Tinubu further listed major infrastructure projects including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline as drivers of job creation, noting that over 600,000 jobs had been generated through such projects.

On workers’ welfare, he pointed to the new national minimum wage, payment of pension arrears, gratuity settlements beginning from January 2026, micro pension schemes for informal workers and a N200 billion support fund for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises.

The President also outlined agricultural support initiatives such as the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro-pocket, dry season farming programmes, mechanisation drives and deployment of NSCDC Agro-Rangers to protect farmers in several states.