The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has once again raised alarm over the deepening hardship facing millions of Nigerians, calling on the Federal Government to urgently address the growing crisis of multidimensional poverty in the country. In a recent statement, the NLC emphasized that the current economic situation is no longer sustainable for the average Nigerian. While inflation continues to rise, wages have stagnated, and basic necessities like food, healthcare, transportation, and housing have become unaffordable luxuries for many households.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has once again raised alarm over the deepening hardship facing millions of Nigerians, calling on the Federal Government to urgently address the growing crisis of multidimensional poverty in the country. In a recent statement, the NLC emphasized that the current economic situation is no longer sustainable for the average Nigerian. While inflation continues to rise, wages have stagnated, and basic necessities like food, healthcare, transportation, and housing have become unaffordable luxuries for many households.
Unlike traditional poverty that focuses solely on income levels, multidimensional poverty considers other factors such as access to education, healthcare, clean water, electricity, sanitation, and standard living conditions. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 130 million Nigerians are living in this form of poverty, a staggering figure that underscores how deeply entrenched the crisis has become.
The NLC, Nigeria’s leading labor body, has continued to champion the cause of the Nigerian worker. In its latest engagement with the government, it highlighted the ripple effects of poor governance, subsidy removal, naira devaluation, and ineffective social welfare programs that have worsened the plight of the masses. “The government needs to wake up to the reality on the ground,” said an NLC spokesperson. “We’re not just talking about lack of money – we’re talking about millions of people without access to the very basics of life. This is unacceptable in a country with Nigeria’s wealth potential.”
The NLC has demanded a comprehensive policy overhaul that prioritizes human capital development, living wages, and massive investment in social infrastructure. It is also pushing for:
On the streets and online, the message from Nigerians is clear: enough is enough. Many citizens have echoed the NLC’s sentiments, sharing personal stories of job losses, rising rent, school dropout cases, and inability to afford daily meals. A Lagos-based teacher wrote on social media, “I work full time, yet I can’t afford to send my child to school or buy fuel. If this isn’t poverty, what is?”
While the Federal Government has acknowledged the challenges and promised reforms through initiatives like the Social Investment Programme and job creation efforts, critics argue that implementation has been slow and often lacks transparency. The NLC has hinted that it will not hesitate to mobilize nationwide protests if tangible steps are not taken in the coming weeks.
The warning from the NLC is not just a political statement, it’s a reflection of the daily reality faced by millions of Nigerians. If urgent measures are not implemented, the multidimensional poverty crisis may deepen, threatening national stability and long-term development.