By Prosper Mene
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, delivered a powerful Workers’ Day address in Abuja, celebrating the nation’s workers and reserving special praise for women whose resilience drives the economy. She lauded women who “rise each day to support our economy” while urging urgent action to dismantle systemic barriers, including limited access to promotions, workplace harassment, and unsafe working conditions. Her message focused on women across Nigeria, particularly those in rural areas and low-wage sectors, where labor conditions are often precarious. Mrs. Tinubu emphasized the need for policies ensuring workplace safety, equitable pay, and career advancement. “The dignity of labor must be upheld with fair opportunities for all,” she declared in her speech.
Her words sparked a vibrant response in Abuja, where female workers, including market traders, teachers, and members of women’s trade unions like the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, rallied with placards demanding better childcare support, maternity protections, and safer workplaces. Chants of “Equal work, equal pay!” and “Safe spaces for women!” filled the air, reflecting the urgency of their calls. For workers like Aisha Mohammed, a market trader from Kano, the First Lady’s speech offered hope: “We work long hours to feed our families, but we have no childcare or safety. Her message shows someone is listening.” Grace Okon, a primary school teacher, stressed the need for merit-based promotions and protections against harassment, stating, “We want our contributions valued, not overlooked because we are women.”
Mrs. Tinubu’s focus on rural and low-wage workers was particularly significant, as over 80% of Nigerian women work in the informal sector, often without legal protections. These farmers, artisans, and street vendors face grueling conditions, lack of maternity benefits, and vulnerability to harassment, making her acknowledgment of their plight a vital step toward amplifying their voices. Her call for fairness aligned with demands from women’s trade unions, which have long pushed for reforms to address the gender pay gap and underrepresentation in leadership roles. Mrs. Funmi Adebayo, a union leader, praised the speech but urged swift policy action: “Words must become policies, maternity leave, equal pay, and safe workplaces are non-negotiable.”
Women’s advocacy groups, including the Nigerian Women’s Trust Fund, hailed Mrs. Tinubu for spotlighting female workers’ contributions, particularly in underserved communities. “Her message validates the struggles of millions of women who keep Nigeria moving,” said Dr. Ngozi Okonkwo, a gender rights advocate. However, some called for concrete commitments, noting slow progress on bills to extend maternity leave to 16 weeks and enforce anti-discrimination laws. Critics stressed that systemic change requires collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society, with proposals like a national maternity benefit fund and universal protections for informal workers cited as critical.
The speech comes in time of growing national focus on gender equity, fueled by unions and civil society. Nigeria’s Labour Act mandates 12 weeks of maternity leave with 50% pay for formal sector workers, but informal sector women are excluded, and workplace harassment and limited leadership opportunities persist. Mrs. Tinubu’s address sheds light on women’s economic contributions, which are vital to Nigeria’s GDP. Strengthening protections could boost productivity, reduce poverty, and advance gender equality, aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals.
