Tinubu declares national emergencies on insecurity, food

President Bola Tinubu declared insecurity and poverty as national emergencies yesterday, emphasizing their severe impact on jobs, productivity, and livelihoods. He highlighted government initiatives like the Community Protection Guards Initiative, which has created employment for 45,000 young Nigerians, and the expanded cash transfer program, benefiting 15 million vulnerable households and lifting 7.5 million Nigerians out of poverty. Major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline, have generated over 600,000 jobs. Tinubu also introduced a new national minimum wage, cleared pension arrears, and expanded micro-pension enrollment for informal sector workers. He urged labour unions to adopt dialogue over strikes and called for sustained collaboration between government and unions to achieve economic reforms. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) criticized government policies, arguing that rising GDP does not translate into improved living conditions, with Nigeria’s poverty rate at about 65%. They demanded a living wage, not minimum wage, and urged immediate measures to address economic hardship. The unions also highlighted the undervaluation of the naira and called for simultaneous reforms in minimum wage and currency valuation. Senator George Akume represented Tinubu, acknowledging insecurity and poverty as persistent challenges but emphasizing government efforts through coordinated actions in agriculture, infrastructure, and social protection. The president reaffirmed his commitment to improving working conditions, promoting fair wages, and ensuring dignity for all Nigerian workers.