• Edo governor increases minimum wage to N75,000

• Osun APC accuses Adeleke of bribing unions with N172m to endorse second term

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to waging war against corruption and upholding the dignity and rights of Nigerian workers.

He pledged this as the nation joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 2025 International Workers’ Day.

Represented by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Muhammed Maigari Dingyadi, at Eagle Square, Abuja, Tinubu assured a crowd of workers and union leaders of his resolve to root out entrenched corruption that has left many Nigerians in poverty, while enriching a few privileged persons.

The President declared, “Our commitment to fighting corruption is not just a promise; it is a moral obligation. We will dismantle the structures of greed that have enriched the few at the expense of the majority.”

In his May Day speech titled, “Reclaiming the Civic Space amid Economic Hardship”, Tinubu acknowledged the biting economic hardship, unemployment and growing food insecurity afflicting Nigerians. He assured that his government was focused on urgent interventions to improve job creation, social welfare and poverty reduction.

“These challenges demand definite solutions, which I as your President am poised to address,” he said.

He recognised workers as the backbone of the Nigerian society and reiterated his administration’s pledge to strengthen labour protections, job security, fair wages and global best practices in workplace standards.

“This administration stands ready to collaborate with labour unions, the organised and informal private sectors, and Civil Society Organisations to create policies that safeguard the rights and livelihoods of workers across all sectors,” he said.

President Tinubu also raised concern over the shrinking civic space, warning against the suppression of workers’ voices.

He emphasised the need to protect workers’ rights to organise, advocate and participate in democratic processes.

“We must ensure that the voices of the marginalised are amplified, not silenced,” he said.

In a major policy direction, Tinubu announced Nigeria’s decision to join the International Labour Organisation’s Global Coalition for Social Justice, aligning the country with international labour standards.

He also pledged to make his administration more responsive to modern workplace dynamics including mental health, environmental hazards, technological disruption and evolving work patterns.

“You are the true heroes of our nation. This Workers’ Day is a celebration of your achievements and a reminder of the limitless potential we hold as a united and determined people,” he said in conclusion.

The event was marked with solidarity songs, colourful marches, and a blend of hope and scepticism from labour leaders who urged Tinubu to urgently fulfil his promises.

Meanwhile, in Benin City, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State delighted workers when he announced an upward review of the minimum wage from N70,000 to N75,000.

Speaking at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Okpebholo described the increment as a show of appreciation for the resilience and contributions of workers to governance and development.

He said, “Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers. It’s our way of saying thank you.”

He also detailed various pro-worker initiatives by his administration including the regularisation of over 1,000 casual staff, the recruitment of 500 new teachers, and confirmation of employment status for more than 3,000 educators.

Okpebholo further revealed the employment approval for 450 clinical and non-clinical hospital staff and the regularisation of 126 contract workers at the Edo State Specialist Hospital.

“We have cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to Edo State Polytechnic staff, sworn in long-delayed judges, and approved health insurance for retirees,” he added.

He pledged prompt payment of salaries and pensions, continuous recruitment, and renewed focus on staff development.

“Your efforts shape our nation and lay the foundation for a better tomorrow,” he stated.

However, in Osun State, a political row erupted as the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of using the Workers’ Day celebration to bribe labour unions to support his second-term ambition.

According to a statement issued by the APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the Adeleke administration allegedly distributed N172 million to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and a faction of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

The statement claimed NULGE received N97 million, while NLC and TUC shared N75 million, in exchange for staging a supportive rally during the May Day event.

“To make the forceful second term adoption exercise rosy, the state government bought Ankara uniforms for all the government workers and directed them to flood the venue of the event to give a false sense of popularity,” the APC alleged.

It accused the labour leaders of being compromised, saying they deliberately kept local government workers at home for over three months to prevent the reinstatement of elected council officials.

“The pliable and compromised labour leaders have been holding the entire workforce at the local government level across the state at the jugular,” the statement read.

The party further accused the Adeleke administration of flouting a Court of Appeal judgment issued on February 10, 2025, which ordered the reinstatement of sacked chairmen and councillors.

“The absence of governance at the grassroots level in Osun State for weeks is not only absurd, but unprecedented. The governor has remained indifferent to the bizarre development,” APC said.

As of press time, the Osun State Government had not responded to the allegations.