Tinubu’s ‘Age of Prosperity’ Yet to Reach Nigerian Workers — Ajaero

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has said President Bola Tinubu’s much-publicised “age of prosperity” has yet to translate into better living conditions for Nigerian workers.

Ajaero made the statement while speaking on the latest edition of the Mic On Podcast, where he criticised the Federal Government’s economic reforms and its handling of organised labour.

Tinubu, in his Independence Day address on October 1, declared that Nigeria had moved from an “age of reform” into an “age of prosperity”, saying difficult economic adjustments had laid the foundation for sustainable growth and improved living standards.

However, Ajaero argued that the reality facing workers remained different, pointing to high food, transportation, accommodation and energy costs.

He said the N70,000 national minimum wage had been significantly weakened by the rising cost of living, particularly the high price of petrol. According to him, petrol prices reaching about N1,500 per litre in some parts of the country have increased transportation costs and further reduced workers’ purchasing power.

The NLC president also cautioned against interpreting a decline in the inflation rate as evidence that prices had fallen. He explained that lower inflation only meant prices were increasing at a slower rate, rather than returning to previous levels.

Ajaero further accused the Tinubu administration of failing to adequately engage organised labour on policies affecting Nigerian workers.

He said the NLC wrote several letters to the President between May and December 2025 without receiving a response, which eventually contributed to the union’s decision to plan a nationwide protest.

According to him, intervention by some state governors later resulted in a meeting with government representatives, but sustained engagement with labour remained limited.

Ajaero’s comments come amid renewed concerns over the cost of living and calls by organised labour for measures that would improve workers’ purchasing power.

While the Federal Government maintains that its reforms have stabilised the economy and created the foundation for prosperity, labour leaders continue to argue that the benefits have yet to sufficiently reach ordinary workers.