TUC President Laments Rising Poverty, Inflation and Food Insecurity in Nigeria

 

The President of the **Trade Union Congress (TUC)**, **Festus Osifo**, has raised alarm over the worsening socio-economic situation in Nigeria, lamenting that no fewer than **56 percent of Nigerians currently live below the poverty line**. According to him, the grim reality of rising inflation, food insecurity, unemployment, and systemic failures is evidence that the country’s governance structure has failed its people.

 

Osifo made this known on Wednesday while addressing participants at the **1st Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Lagos State Council of TUC**. Represented by the Acting Secretary General of the union, **Mrs. Olawunmi Jimoh**, the labour leader stressed that it is the duty of organised labour to tell the government the truth about the realities ordinary Nigerians face.

 

 

Nigeria’s Harsh Economic Realities

 

In his remarks, Osifo painted a troubling picture of the country’s economic challenges, pointing out that runaway inflation has left many families struggling to afford basic necessities. He explained that widespread **food insecurity**, an **epileptic power supply**, and a **weakened agricultural system** continue to compound the suffering of millions of citizens.

 

“The realities around us are grim: runaway inflation, widespread food insecurity, unaffordable education, epileptic power supply, a weakened agricultural system, and a culture of unsustainable borrowing. These are not just policy failures; they are symptoms of a system that has failed its people,” he said.

 

The TUC President argued that the country’s continued reliance on unsustainable borrowing only deepens economic vulnerability, while the absence of strong institutional reforms has left workers and ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of mismanagement.

 

Labour’s Duty to Speak Truth to Power

 

Osifo emphasised that the labour movement cannot remain silent in the face of these challenges. He insisted that unions have a moral and civic responsibility to demand accountability and fight for policies that improve the welfare of workers and the wider population.

 

“As a responsible and progressive labour centre, we must rise to the occasion, speak truth to power, and take decisive action when necessary,” he declared.

 

He noted that Nigerians are increasingly losing faith in the system because promises of economic reforms have not translated into relief for ordinary citizens. According to him, the worsening conditions demand stronger advocacy from organised labour.

 

Rejection of Proposed Labour Law Amendment

 

A significant part of Osifo’s address was dedicated to rejecting the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to transfer labour matters from the **Exclusive Legislative List** to the **Concurrent List**. He described the move as **anti-worker, retrogressive, and dangerous**, stressing that it would undermine the unity and strength of Nigeria’s labour movement.

 

“Let me state unequivocally: this proposed amendment is anti-worker, retrogressive, and a direct threat to the unity and strength of the Nigerian labour movement,” Osifo warned.

 

He argued that if allowed, the amendment would weaken national labour institutions, fragment negotiations, and reduce the ability of unions to protect workers’ rights effectively.

 

 

TUC’s Readiness to Resist the Bill

 

Osifo vowed that the TUC would resist the proposed amendment with every lawful means at its disposal. He disclosed that all state councils have been placed on red alert and must be prepared to respond promptly to directives from the national secretariat.

 

He urged the Lagos State Council, along with other state chapters, to escalate any unresolved industrial disputes to the national level, assuring that the TUC would intervene as a united front.

 

“We must defend the hard-won rights of Nigerian workers without hesitation,” he said. “Where local mechanisms fall short, we shall intervene as a united front, employing robust engagement and determined advocacy to deliver justice and protect the welfare of workers.”

 

 

Protecting Workers’ Welfare Amid Crisis

 

Beyond resisting legislative threats, Osifo stressed the need for government to prioritise policies that reduce poverty and strengthen economic resilience. He highlighted that addressing food insecurity, stabilising power supply, and ensuring affordable education must be urgent priorities if Nigeria is to reverse its economic decline.

 

He reminded delegates that TUC’s struggle is not just for workers but for the future of the entire country. With over half of Nigerians living in poverty, he said, failure to act decisively risks further social unrest and economic instability.

 

 

The Way Forward

 

The TUC President’s remarks underscore the urgency of Nigeria’s current socio-economic challenges. Analysts note that his statistics on poverty reflect recent global reports showing Nigeria as one of the countries with the highest rates of extreme poverty. Without deliberate policy shifts to address inflation, improve productivity, and strengthen social services, the suffering of millions of Nigerians will continue to worsen.

 

For labour unions, the immediate task is to sustain pressure on the government to fulfil its responsibilities while also resisting reforms that could weaken collective bargaining. Osifo’s call to action signals that TUC is preparing for a more confrontational approach if necessary, using advocacy, mobilisation, and lawful resistance to defend workers’ rights.

 

As Nigeria grapples with rising costs of living and fragile governance, the union’s insistence on holding government accountable may play a crucial role in shaping policy responses in the months ahead.