May Day 2025: CAPPA Demands Living Wage, Blasts Exploitation of Nigerian Workers
As workers across Nigeria marked International Workers’ Day 2025, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) added a compelling voice to the calls for justice, urging the Federal Government and state authorities to prioritise workers’ welfare by implementing a true living wage.
In a strongly-worded statement, CAPPA saluted the resilience of Nigerian workers but painted a grim picture of their reality which include rising inflation, stagnant wages, and worsening poverty.
Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank, the group warned that an additional 13 million Nigerians could plunge into poverty by year’s end, joining the existing 129 million already below the poverty line.
“Workers are the engine of our economy, yet they continue to labour in misery while the rich get richer,” the statement noted, highlighting the widening gap between workers’ earnings and the profits of Nigeria’s top employers.
Although the government approved a N70,000 minimum wage last year, CAPPA argued it remains grossly inadequate in today’s harsh economic climate.
Even more alarming, the group revealed that at least 20 states are yet to implement the new wage for local government workers and teachers.
The NGO also raised concerns over job displacement, citing revelations that 90% of expatriates in Nigeria work without valid permits occupying roles meant for Nigerians.
CAPPA further urged authorities to clamp down on illegal labour practices and reclaim employment opportunities for citizens.
Beyond wages, CAPPA called for safe, equitable workplaces, particularly for women, youth, and informal workers who face additional hurdles.
The statement ended with a rallying cry to labour unions: “Let this May Day be a turning point in the fight for fairness, dignity, and a future where every Nigerian worker can live and not just survive.”
