Women Workers’ Welfare Must Improve — TUC FCT Women Commission Chairperson, Sandra Nena Ogbonna, Urges FG
Abuja, Nigeria — The Chairperson of the Women Commission, Trade Union Congress (TUC), FCT Chapter, Comrade Sandra Nena Ogbonna, has called on the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of female workers, urging a comprehensive upward review of their remuneration and working conditions.
Speaking during activities marking Workers’ Day 2026, Ogbonna decried the persistent underpayment and discrimination faced by women in the workforce, stressing the need for urgent reforms.
“As the representative of the Women Commission, I call on the government to stop the underpayment of female workers. Discrimination must be addressed decisively. Women workers have continued to be underpaid despite their enormous contributions,” she stated.
Ogbonna emphasized that women play a critical role not only in driving Nigeria’s economic development but also in sustaining families, communities, and society at large. According to her, neglecting their welfare has far-reaching consequences.
“When the welfare of workers suffers, society at large suffers. We are clamouring for a change in the conditions and welfare of workers,” she added.
She further noted that Workers’ Day is not merely a time for celebration but a moment to reinforce the dignity of labour and advocate for improved working standards.
“There is dignity in labour. As the economy evolves, the situation of workers must also change. Government policies and governance frameworks must reflect these realities,” Ogbonna said.
Earlier, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, highlighted the growing challenges of insecurity and poverty, describing them as twin barriers preventing millions of Nigerians from accessing decent work.
“If insecurity is addressed, people will return to their farms, food production will increase, and economic activities will thrive without heavy government intervention,” Ajaero noted.
He further observed that nearly 90 percent of jobs in Nigeria are within the informal sector, where workers lack pensions, job security, and basic protections.
“If there is poverty and insecurity, many people don’t even have jobs, let alone decent jobs,” he said.
Despite the concerns, Ajaero commended the Federal Government for reintroducing gratuity payments, noting that workers deserve dignity after retirement.
In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reassured organised labour of his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and enhancing service delivery nationwide.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President outlined key initiatives already approved. These include the Exit Benefit Scheme for retirees under the contributory pension system, the Employee Compensation Scheme for work-related risks, and an upward review of allowances such as duty tour allowances, estacode, and book allowances.
The government also announced a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme aimed at supporting workers, with officials noting that these interventions are designed to boost morale and strengthen the capacity of civil servants.
Civil servants, the government maintained, remain central to national development, playing vital roles in policy formulation, healthcare delivery, education, and infrastructure support across the country.
