By Olatunbosun Obafemi
As Nigeria marks Workers’ Day 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised alarm over what it describes as a shrinking civic space and worsening economic conditions faced by workers and ordinary citizens across the country.
Speaking at the Pre-May Day Lecture held on Wednesday at the NLC Headquarters in Abuja, the President of the Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, decried the increasing repression of civil liberties, noting that the right to protest and freely express dissent is being severely curtailed.
“The civic space is being compressed,” Ajaero said. “Even peaceful protests are being suppressed. Just last week in Port Harcourt and other locations, protesters were stopped by security forces. We tried to speak out on issues like the minimum wage and economic hardship, but were met with resistance.”
He warned that continued suppression of civil liberties poses a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy, reminding those in power that many of them are beneficiaries of past struggles for freedom and democracy.
“If the civic space had been closed during the military era, many of today’s lawmakers and governors would never have had the opportunity to hold public office,” he added.
The 2025 lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” drew attention to increasing restrictions on public expression, including clampdowns on protests, suppression of student activism, and manipulation of public opinion through sponsored voices.
Supporting the NLC’s position, guest lecturer and Professor of International Law, Sir Christopher Chukwuma, called for urgent reforms to laws that inhibit civic participation. He specifically cited the Cybercrime Act and the Public Order Act, describing them as tools often used to criminalize civic engagement.
“The civic space in Nigeria is rapidly shrinking. Democratic processes cannot thrive in an environment where protests are criminalized, media freedom is under threat, and civic actors face intimidation,” Prof. Chukwuma said.
He outlined multiple challenges facing civil society in Nigeria, including:
• Deployment of security forces to stifle protests
• Surveillance and control of social media
• Attacks on journalists and media organizations
• Inadequate legal protection for human rights defenders
Chukwuma urged the labour movement to lead advocacy efforts aimed at reviewing restrictive legislation and ensuring alignment with international human rights standards. He also called for increased transparency, improved access to justice, and stronger mechanisms for public participation in governance.
“There is an urgent need to reclaim the civic space. This includes revisiting laws such as the Companies and Allied Matters Act, which affect the operation of civil society organizations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has lauded Nigerian workers for their resilience in the face of economic adversity. In a statement marking Workers’ Day, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, expressed concern over the impact of recent economic reforms on workers’ welfare.
“Nigerian workers are enduring unprecedented hardship,” he stated. “High inflation has eroded the value of wages, while the cost of transportation and healthcare has become increasingly unaffordable.”
Ojukwu called for economic policies that prioritize human dignity, social justice, and the well-being of citizens, noting that the productivity and morale of workers are at risk.
Despite the current challenges, he commended government efforts aimed at alleviating the economic burden but urged further reforms to protect workers and promote inclusive growth.
As May Day celebrations continue across the country, the calls from labour leaders, academics, and human rights advocates underline the need for renewed commitment to democratic freedoms and the protection of workers’ rights.
