As the world marks International Workers’ Day, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has extended warm felicitations to Nigerian workers, applauding their resilience, sacrifice, and vital contributions to national development.
In a statement released today, the NBA President described workers as “the unsung heroes of our national development and nation-building,” acknowledging their pivotal role across all sectors of the economy. “Their dedication sustains our economy, institutions, and daily lives,” he noted.
While celebrating their efforts, Osigwe emphasized that May Day should also serve as a moment for sober reflection on the plight of many Nigerian workers. He decried the prevailing economic hardship, unsafe working conditions, job insecurity, and inadequate remuneration experienced by a significant portion of the workforce.
“It is not enough to offer praise without concrete action. Nigerian workers deserve a living wage and many more benefits,” he said.
He called on governments at all levels to urgently and fully implement the National Minimum Wage Act, insisting that “a living wage is not a privilege but a constitutional and legal entitlement of workers. It is a critical component of human dignity and social justice.”
The NBA President also urged both public and private sector employers to uphold good labour practices, prioritize workplace safety, and foster environments free from exploitation, intimidation, and discrimination.
Reaffirming the legal profession’s commitment to labour rights, Osigwe stated: “Members of the legal profession are committed to promoting the rights of workers and advocating for the enforcement of laws that guarantee equitable and humane labour conditions. A just society must be one in which the contributions of its workers are met with fairness, protection, and opportunity.”
He concluded with a rousing tribute: “Happy Workers’ Day to all Nigerian workers. May your work be valued, your rights respected, and your voices amplified.”
