General
Workers’ Day: NLC Decries Deteriorating Standard of Living of Nigerian Workers
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has outlined demands to the federal government while expressing deep concerns over the deteriorating economic conditions of workers as the world marks the International Workers’ Day (May 1).
NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, said Nigerian workers are groaning because of poor pay as a result of the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu as well as growing insecurity and political interference in labour affairs across the country.
Mr Ajaero described the current state of the Nigerian economy as hostile to workers, noting that the removal of fuel subsidy, Naira devaluation and rising inflation have plunged millions of households into deeper poverty.
He maintained that the current economic trajectory has eroded the value of wages, rendering workers helpless and unable to meet basic needs.
“It is clear that the policies of the government, particularly the ill-timed and unstructured removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira, have pushed Nigerian workers and their families to the brink,” he said.
The NLC president reiterated the labour union’s position on the new minimum wage, stating that N70, 000 is the barest minimum that workers can accept under the current economic conditions. He argued that the amount, though still insufficient considering the skyrocketing cost of living, could serve as a starting point for negotiation.
He lamented the increasing hunger facing workers in the country, “We are hungry,” he said, adding that, “The minimum wage cannot buy a bag of rice. If you are sincere and you go to work every day, 20 days, your salary is gone on transportation.
“We are not asking for luxury. We are simply demanding a wage that allows a worker to live a dignified life, pay rent, feed their families, send their children to school, and transport themselves to work.”
He said that even this figure would need to be adjusted periodically to keep pace with inflation and market forces.
“If the government can effectively implement some of the measures they have put in place -such as the N70, 000 minimum wage, the CNG transport system, and the students’ loan- then one can say that the renewed hope idea is working. I think the foundation has been laid, but we need the real implementation of these,” he stated.
On energy and transport, he criticised the government’s failure to deliver on the promised palliatives to cushion the effect of subsidy removal. He cited the delay in rolling out Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure and vehicles, which was supposed to provide affordable alternatives to petrol-powered transportation.
“They promised us CNG buses. Where are they? They promised wage awards. Many states have not implemented anything. The promises made last year have remained largely on paper,” he said.
He called on the Federal Government to accelerate the implementation of energy reforms, especially in the transportation sector, to alleviate the burden on workers who spend a significant portion of their income on transportation.
Mr Ajaero also raised concerns over the inconsistencies in salary payments and implementation of wage awards across various states and federal agencies.
He noted that many state governments have either failed to implement the approved wage increases or are paying workers below the agreed minimum wage, thereby violating labour agreements.
He pointed out that the disparities in the federal and state public service salary structures were unacceptable and called for immediate harmonisation, including a review of salary step progression and grade levels to ensure equity.
The NLC president further urged the government to reform the country’s tax regime, which he said unfairly targets the poor while allowing multinational corporations and political elite to evade taxes.
“It is only in Nigeria that someone earning N50, 000 a month is taxed heavily while the real billionaires are not paying their fair share. This system must change,” he said.
Additionally, the labour leader condemned the growing state of insecurity in many parts of the country, which he said not only affects productivity but, also, endangers the lives of workers, especially those in rural communities and high-risk professions.
He also criticised the decay in the health and education sectors, lamenting that many workers can no longer afford basic healthcare or quality education for their children. Turning to internal challenges within the labour movement, he decried the increasing political interference in union activities, particularly in Rivers and Edo states.
He accused state governors of undermining the autonomy of the trade unions, suppressing workers’ voices, and in some cases, promoting parallel union leadership to create division.
“In Rivers State, we are witnessing a complete breakdown of labour-government relations. Retirees are not being paid, union meetings are disrupted, and workers’ rights are trampled upon. In Edo, we are dealing with a crisis of leadership instigated by the state government,” he alleged.
He urged the federal government to call erring state governors to order and protect the rights of workers as enshrined in the Constitution to prevent the escalation of events in those states. He further stated the status of no May Day celebrations in the states still stands. He challenged the government to prioritise social services in its spending plans and cut waste in governance.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned that the country faces a significant gap of 480,000 Data Protection Officers (DPOs), in spite of notable progress recorded in the last three years.
The National Commissioner of NDPC, Mr Vincent Olatunji, disclosed the opening of a one-week training for the second cohort of DPOs Training and Certification Programme in Abuja.
Mr Olatunji said there were still shortages even as the number of certified DPOs in Nigeria increased from fewer than 1,000 three years ago to over 10,000, while more than 27,000 professionals now operate within the broader privacy ecosystem.
However, he noted that the gap remained wide due to the increasing number of data controllers and processors in the country.
“We have identified over 500,000 data controllers and processors who require the services of data protection officers.
“At the moment, we have about 10,000 certified DPOs to work in that space.
“The gap of about 480,000 still exists, which underscores the need for sustained capacity building,” he said.
The NDPC boss said the commission was intensifying efforts to bridge the gap through continuous training programmes.
He said the initiative was aimed at positioning Nigeria as a hub for highly skilled and globally competitive data protection professionals in Africa.
“Our goal is to make Nigeria the go-to country when it comes to sourcing qualified data protection officers in Africa.
“The certification we offer meets global standards, enabling practitioners to operate not just locally but in any part of the world,” Mr Olatunji said.
He said the programme would also contribute to job creation within the digital economy, in line with the federal government’s priorities.
On her part, Mrs Tolu Fadipe, the commission’s Head of Research and Development, emphasised the critical role of data protection in the digital economy.
She said that responsible data handling was fundamental to the growth of digital systems and emerging technologies.
“As we move towards a digital economy, data becomes central and protecting that data is essential.
“This training is designed to build competence and ensure organisations comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act,” she said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The processing of planning permits for property owners in Lagos State is now fully digital, discontinuing manual and semi-digital processes.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Mr Olajide Abiodun, said the new system is the Electronic Physical Planning Process System (EPPPS).
He described it as a transformative, web-based platform designed to completely modernise the operations of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, which is transitioning from legacy, manual systems toward a highly efficient, transparent, and scalable digital framework.
“Lagos State has entered the dawn of a new era in digital processing of Planning Permissions, Authorisations to Commence Construction Works, Stage Certification, amongst other services,” he told newsmen recently.
Mr Abiodun noted that the full automation of the planning permit process commenced on April 1, 2026, stressing that anyone processing planning permits manually from the stated date is engaging in an illegal activity and that all applications must now go through the EPPPS platform exclusively.
The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s aide added that once one receives planning approvals via EPPPS, the journey is not over. The person should immediately apply for their Authorisation to Commence Construction Works and Stage Certifications through the EPPPS platform, amongst other services, adding that there will be a task force to monitor compliance with this activity.
While updating the citizens on other developments on Urban Development and Land Administration in the State, he said the state government has introduced CAP to further strengthen LASBCA’s capability in ensuring strict building development compliance.
According to him, CAP is a strategic Public-Private Partnership that allows accredited private professionals to work alongside LASBCA in monitoring building projects.
“This helps us ensure strict compliance with the state’s building codes. It will drastically reduce the risk of building collapses while accelerating project delivery. It is a win for safety, a win for the construction industry, and a win for Lagosians,” he said.
The Lagos State Government, in the journey of moving from the built environment to Land Administration, has actively decentralised its services to ease the burden on citizens, announcing that the e-GIS Regional Office in Ikeja has officially commenced operations.
“This is a dedicated, customer-facing hub designed specifically to handle your digitised land administration activities. Citizens will no longer need to travel all the way to Alausa for every land-related inquiry.
“The Ikeja office is fully equipped to serve residents efficiently at the grassroots level, as the Government is assuring that the remaining divisional offices across the state will also commence operations very soon,” he disclosed.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Mr Salimon Akanni Oladiti is in pole position to take over the presidency of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
According to reports, Mr Oladiti, who is the current National Trustee of the union, will take over from Mr Williams Akporeha, who is set to exit office at the end of April after eight years at the helm.
Mr Akporeha announced his departure at the weekend during the Quarterly National Executive Council meeting of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch in Warri, Delta State.
He noted that the union will elect a new president on April 24 in Lagos.
If Mr Oladiti, a former PTD National Chairman, emerges as the president of the union, it would be the first time a PTD member ascends to NUPENG’s top office.
The move gained momentum at the meeting, where Mr Joseph Okafor moved a motion for Mr Oladiti’s unanimous ratification, seconded by Mr Adekunle Akinlaja.
Mr Akporeha expressed gratitude to PTD members for their steadfast support throughout his tenure.
“Eight years ago, you stood by me in this same room. You didn’t only stand by me, you supported me. When things were tough, you were there through all the challenges.
“I want to appreciate all of you. If I stand to support one of your own as President, I have no apology. If I had done anything otherwise, my conscience would have troubled me. God used you to install me,” he said.
He urged members to rally behind Oladiti and the newly elected PTD National Chairman, Mathias Ote, to sustain the union’s stability and growth.
“By the grace of God, as I move along, I want to see a union stronger than I left it. I don’t want to see PTD go into disarray. The greatest favour you can do is to support this man whom you have elected today as your national chairman. Also support your own that will be the President, by the grace of God, on April 24,” he added.
On his part, the President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Mr Lawal Yusuf Othman, commended NUPENG for steering a peaceful transition.
“I once again want to appreciate NUPENG. NARTO will continue to give you the necessary support,” he said.
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