Two Years of Tinubu: NLC Says Nigerians Suffering More Than Ever…Two years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has delivered a scathing verdict on his performance, declaring that there have been no tangible gains for Nigerians, only deepening poverty, increased suffering, and worsening economic hardship.
In a strongly worded statement marking the second anniversary of the Tinubu-led government, the NLC accused the president of implementing policies that have devastated the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
According to the union, reforms such as the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and increases in energy tariffs have pushed the economy into deeper turmoil, driven inflation to historic highs, and drastically eroded the purchasing power of workers and citizens alike.
“The past two years have been marked by growing hardship and economic pain. Nigerians are poorer today than they were before this government came into office,” the NLC said.
The congress argued that Tinubu’s administration has pursued an economic agenda that favors the elite while burdening the masses with the cost of policy failures.
“There is no relief in sight,” it added, “only rising prices, low wages, and declining quality of life.”
The labour body pointed to Nigeria’s inflation rate, which has surged to 33.2%, while food inflation has climbed even higher, now hovering around 40%.
It said the cost of living crisis is unbearable, and despite repeated appeals, the government has failed to take steps that could ease the suffering of the people.
According to the NLC, the removal of fuel subsidies has made transportation and basic services unaffordable, while currency devaluation has made imported goods—on which Nigerians heavily rely—prohibitively expensive.
Beyond the economic indicators, the NLC condemned what it called the “insensitive spending priorities” of the Tinubu administration.
The congress criticized the government’s expenditure on luxuries while ignoring the plight of workers, citing as examples the approval of a N5 billion yacht and billions more spent on renovating presidential residences.
“While Nigerians go to bed hungry and struggle to make ends meet, the government spends billions on luxuries that serve only a privileged few,” the statement read.
The congress also took issue with the government’s failure to honor agreements reached with labour unions.
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It recalled that a 14-day strike notice was issued in February 2024, citing the government’s neglect of previous commitments to improve workers’ welfare, implement wage increases, and address systemic issues worsening the economic outlook for workers.
To date, the NLC said, those concerns remain unresolved.
In response to the widespread criticism, President Tinubu and his administration have maintained that the reforms were necessary to stabilize the country’s finances.
He argued that removing subsidies and floating the naira were difficult but unavoidable decisions needed to address Nigeria’s growing fiscal deficit and revive government revenues.
However, labour leaders contend that these reforms have been implemented without a social cushion for the most vulnerable, leaving millions worse off.
International organizations, including the World Bank, have acknowledged the fiscal intent behind Tinubu’s economic reforms but also warned that high inflation, low job creation, and a weak naira remain significant threats to economic stability.
The NLC insists that until policies are realigned to reflect the needs of ordinary Nigerians, any economic recovery would be superficial and unsustainable.
The labour body has now called on the government to reverse some of the more punitive policies and initiate emergency measures to ease the burden on citizens.
These include a comprehensive review of the current wage structure, subsidies for essential services, and stronger investment in local production to curb reliance on imports.
“There can be no progress when the people are hungry, when families cannot afford food, healthcare, or education,” the NLC stated.
It warned that failure to act urgently could lead to deeper national unrest as frustration continues to grow across the country.
As the Tinubu administration enters its third year, the message from Nigeria’s largest labour union is clear: the people are tired of promises and demand real relief—now.
