First Lady Oluremi Tinubu and ADC presidential aspirant Peter Obi have sent messages to Nigerian workers as the country marked the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration.
In a goodwill message issued on Friday, Mrs Tinubu described workers as the backbone of national growth and development.
She praised workers across the country for their contributions in both the public and private sectors.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience, dedication, and invaluable contributions of our workers, whose daily efforts drive the growth and development of our country,” she said.
The First Lady said workers remain central to economic progress and acknowledged the role of civil servants, professionals, artisans and entrepreneurs.
She also recognised labour unions for their efforts in seeking better welfare and conditions of service for workers.
According to Oluremi Tinubu, continued cooperation between labour groups and other stakeholders is important for productivity and national development.
“Happy Workers’ Day to all Nigerians,” she added.
Mr Obi also paid tribute to workers in Nigeria and around the world. In a message shared on X, the former Anambra State governor described workers as the driving force of economic and social development.
He commended people working in sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, security and manufacturing.
Obi, however, said many Nigerian workers were facing economic hardship.
He said the minimum wage could no longer meet basic needs because of inflation, rising food prices and transport costs. “It is deeply painful that those who wake up every day to teach, heal, build, farm, produce, transport, protect, and serve our nation are still denied the dignity and fair reward their labour deserves,” he said.
Obi added that no country can grow beyond the strength of its workforce.
According to him, when workers suffer, the nation suffers, and when workers are empowered, the nation prospers.
He also urged workers to use their collective voice and votes in shaping the country’s leadership.
“They owe it to themselves, their children, and future generations to support and demand leadership built on competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion,” he said.
Obi called for a country built on justice, fairness and respect for labour.
He ended his message by saying that a better Nigeria is possible with the support and participation of workers.
Workers’ Day is marked every year on May 1 to celebrate workers and focus attention on labour rights and welfare.
