Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a critical stance on the economic policies of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying recent reforms have intensified hardship for Nigerian workers and weakened their standard of living.
In a message released on Friday to mark International Workers’ Day, Atiku described the 2026 observance as a time for reflection rather than celebration, pointing to what he called the worsening condition of the average worker.
“This year’s Workers’ Day is not a moment of joy for millions of Nigerians. It is a painful reminder of broken promises and a growing burden placed on the shoulders of those who keep this country running,” he said.
He took particular issue with the government’s handling of the fuel subsidy removal, acknowledging its necessity but criticising the way it was implemented.
“Let me be clear: the removal of fuel subsidy was inevitable and long overdue. However, its implementation by this administration was hasty, unstructured, and devoid of the necessary safeguards to protect ordinary Nigerians,” he stated.
According to Atiku, the policy has triggered a sharp rise in the cost of living, with increases in transportation fares, food prices, and other essential goods placing additional strain on households.
He argued that wages have not kept pace with these economic pressures, leaving workers to bear the full impact.
“What we have witnessed is a dramatic surge in the cost of living without any commensurate increase in wages or meaningful support systems.
The Nigerian worker has been left to absorb shocks that should have been mitigated by responsible governance,” he added.
Atiku also questioned the management and utilisation of funds reportedly saved from the subsidy removal, noting that many Nigerians have yet to experience any tangible benefits.
“Trillions of naira have reportedly been saved, yet the average Nigerian cannot point to a single aspect of their lives that has improved as a result.
This raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and priorities,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to ease the burden on citizens, including reviewing wages, strengthening social protection programmes, and investing more in critical sectors such as healthcare and education.
“Economic reforms must be people-centred. Growth that does not translate into improved living conditions for workers is neither inclusive nor sustainable,” he added.
Reaffirming his support for Nigerian workers, Atiku called on the government to act decisively in addressing their concerns.
“On this Workers’ Day, I stand in solidarity with every Nigerian worker. Their resilience is remarkable, but resilience should not be mistaken for endurance of endless hardship. The time to act is now,” he said.
