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Abuja, Nigeria
May 1, 2026
Workers’ Day 2026: Centre LSD Calls for Urgent Action on Insecurity and Poverty as Barriers to Decent Work
The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) joins workers across Nigeria in commemorating Workers’ Day 2026, drawing urgent attention to the growing impact of insecurity and poverty on the dignity of work in the country.
With this year’s theme, “Insecurity, Poverty – Bane of Decent Work,” Centre LSD highlights the reality that for millions of Nigerians, decent work remains out of reach not due to lack of willingness to work, but because of deepening economic hardship and unsafe conditions.
Recent data from the World Bank paints a worrying picture. Nigeria’s poverty rate has risen steadily from 56% in 2023 to 61% in 2024, reaching about 63% in 2025, meaning over 140 million Nigerians are now living below the poverty line. In rural areas, the situation is even more severe, with over 75% of Nigerians classified as poor, reflecting widening inequality and limited access to opportunities.
These figures underscore a harsh truth: even as economic indicators show signs of improvement, the benefits are not reaching ordinary Nigerians. For many workers, wages are no longer sufficient to meet basic needs, while insecurity continues to disrupt livelihoods, displace communities, and limit access to safe employment.
Centre LSD emphasizes that decent work is not just about having a job it is about fair pay, safe working conditions, job security, and respect for human dignity. Yet, insecurity and poverty are steadily eroding these standards across sectors.
The Centre therefore calls on government, the private sector, and development partners to take coordinated action to:
Strengthen security systems to protect lives, livelihoods, and workplaces Implement inclusive economic policies that reduce poverty and create sustainable jobs Support small and medium enterprises as engines of employment Enforce labour standards and protect workers’ rights Expand social protection systems for vulnerable populations Speaking on the significance of Workers’ Day, the Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, stated: “Workers are the backbone of national development. When insecurity threatens their safety and poverty erodes their dignity, the very foundation of decent work is weakened. Addressing these challenges is not optional it is essential.”
He further stressed that tackling insecurity and poverty requires deliberate investment in people, stronger governance systems, and sustained commitment to inclusive development.
As Nigeria marks Workers’ Day 2026, the Centre urges stakeholders to move beyond symbolic celebrations and take meaningful steps toward building a society where every worker can live and work with dignity.
About Centre LSD The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to building strategic leadership for sustainable development in Africa. Its work focuses on governance, leadership, gender equality, and inclusive development.
Media Contact: Communications Unit African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) Phone: +234 (0) 703 743 5136
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