In a stark and impassioned address, Dr. Hassan Makolo, President of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has sounded the alarm on the escalating economic hardships plaguing Nigerian workers. Delivering his remarks during the union's National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Dr. Makolo described a nation where millions of families are teetering on the edge of survival, suffocated by relentless inflation, skyrocketing fuel prices, and the relentless devaluation of the naira. His words paint a vivid portrait of a workforce pushed to its limits, where the daily grind has become an unbearable struggle for dignity and basic sustenance.
Dr. Makolo's warning comes at a time when Nigeria's economic indicators tell a tale of profound distress. The country's inflation rate has remained stubbornly high, eroding purchasing power at an alarming pace. Repeated hikes in fuel prices have cascaded through the economy, inflating the costs of transportation, food production, and essential services. The unification of exchange rates, intended as a reform, has instead accelerated the naira's decline, making imported goods—ranging from medicines to machinery—prohibitively expensive. For the average worker, these factors converge into a perfect storm, rendering salaries obsolete before they even hit bank accounts.
"Workers are suffocating under the high cost of living," Dr. Makolo declared emphatically. "The prices of food, transport, housing, and even healthcare are now beyond reach." He elaborated on the human toll, explaining how families are forced to make impossible choices: skipping meals to pay for school fees, forgoing medical check-ups to cover rent, or enduring grueling commutes because public transport fares have doubled or tripled in recent months. In many states, the situation is exacerbated by irregular or "amputated" salary payments—terms that evoke the partial, delayed, or deducted wages that leave employees in perpetual financial limbo.
Central to Dr. Makolo's critique is the inadequacy of the current minimum wage framework. He argued passionately that Nigeria must transition from a static minimum wage to a dynamic living wage policy. This proposed system would automatically adjust salaries in line with inflation rates and cost-of-living indices, ensuring that workers' earnings keep pace with economic realities. "Our wages no longer reflect the realities of today’s economy," he stated. "Inflation has wiped out the value of salaries, leaving many workers unable to meet basic needs." Without such reforms, he warned, the gap between income and expenditure will only widen, fostering resentment, reduced productivity, and social unrest.
The NASU leader's analysis extends beyond immediate wage issues to the broader macroeconomic failures. Nigeria's energy sector woes—marked by inconsistent power supply and rising costs—compound the burden on households and businesses alike. Local production remains hampered by inadequate infrastructure, leading to over-reliance on imports and vulnerability to global price shocks. Dr. Makolo urged the federal government to prioritize policies that stabilize prices, such as subsidies on critical inputs for agriculture and manufacturing, incentives for domestic refining of petroleum, and investments in renewable energy sources to curtail dependence on volatile fuel markets.
As a voice for organized labor, Dr. Makolo called for unity and amplified advocacy. "As Organised Labour, we must intensify our collective advocacy for fair wage adjustments, stronger social protection policies, and accountability in economic management," he emphasized. "Together, we will continue to defend the dignity and welfare of every worker in these challenging times." This rallying cry underscores the role of unions like NASU in holding policymakers accountable, pushing for transparent fiscal management, and ensuring that economic growth translates into tangible benefits for the working class.
Looking ahead, Dr. Makolo highlighted the dire implications for Nigeria's youth and future workforce. With unemployment and underemployment at crisis levels, graduates and skilled professionals find themselves sidelined in a job market dominated by the informal sector. He cited statistics indicating that nearly 80 percent of Nigeria's workers are now absorbed into this unregulated realm, where job security is nonexistent, wages are erratic, and benefits like health insurance or pensions are rarities. Precarious conditions in informal employment—street vending, artisanal work, or gig economy roles—expose workers to exploitation, health risks, and economic instability.
To reverse this trend, the NASU President advocated for proactive government intervention. He proposed expanded vocational training programs tailored to emerging industries, robust support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) through low-interest loans and tax breaks, and targeted investments in labor-intensive sectors such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. By creating sustainable jobs, the government could not only reduce youth idleness but also stimulate economic diversification away from oil dependency.
Security emerged as another critical pillar in Dr. Makolo's address, intertwined with economic woes. "Insecurity, from kidnappings, banditry to terrorism, threatens Nigerians, including workers’ lives and livelihoods, as well as every other person resident in the country," he lamented. In regions plagued by violence, workers face disrupted commutes, destroyed farmlands, and extortion by armed groups, further straining household budgets. Schools and workplaces become no-go zones, perpetuating cycles of poverty and undereducation.
Addressing this multifaceted threat, Dr. Makolo outlined a comprehensive strategy. He stressed the need for enhanced intelligence gathering to preempt attacks, deployment of modern technology like drones and surveillance systems, and unwavering political will to confront root causes. Corruption in security budgets must be eradicated through audits and prosecutions, while youth unemployment— a key driver of recruitment into criminal networks—should be tackled via the job creation initiatives he proposed. A multi-dimensional approach, integrating military action with social programs, community engagement, and regional cooperation, is essential to restore peace and enable economic recovery.
Dr. Makolo's dire warning serves as a clarion call to action for the Nigerian government, policymakers, and society at large. The economic hardships he describes are not abstract statistics but lived realities that undermine national productivity, social cohesion, and human potential. By implementing living wages, bolstering local production, investing in infrastructure, creating jobs, and securing the nation, leaders can alleviate the suffocation felt by workers and chart a path toward inclusive prosperity.
In these trying times, the resilience of Nigerian workers shines through, but it cannot be taken for granted. As Dr. Makolo concluded, the defense of workers' dignity is a shared responsibility. Organized labor stands ready to partner with a committed government, but failure to act risks deeper despair and irreversible damage to the social fabric. Nigeria's workers deserve more than survival—they deserve the opportunity to thrive with dignity in their own land.
