Calls for Support for Tinubu’s Reforms, Tackling Wage Gaps in States and Private Sector
By Ameh Gabriel
The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub, has saluted the resilience, dedication, and indispensable contributions of Nigerian workers in commemoration of the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration.
In a statement released by Nkem Anyata-Lafia, Special Assistant to the NTAC DG (Media and Publicity)
May 1, 2025, in Abuja, the NTAC boss congratulated Nigerian workers, describing them as “the hands that fertilize the earth of national development and service to all.” He commended their continued sacrifice and called for greater commitment from all sectors of society to uplift their welfare.
Buba emphasized the need for deliberate efforts to bridge the wage gap between federal employees and their counterparts in state governments and the private sector. He noted that many workers in subnational and private institutions still receive salaries that are grossly inadequate and do not reflect their contributions.
“It is unacceptable for workers in parts of the country or private establishments to receive pay that barely gets them home after work. State governments and private employers must show genuine empathy and recalibrate their compensation structures to align with today’s realities,” the DG stated.
He cited examples of salary disparities in sectors like private education and manufacturing, where staff are underpaid despite the high revenue generated by their organizations. He called on regulatory institutions, including the National Assembly and the Wages Commission, to review these issues for equity and fairness.
Rt. Hon. Buba also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, highlighting the administration’s bold economic reforms, including:
- The 35% salary increment for federal civil servants,
- Increased allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, and
- Broader pro-worker policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He stressed that these initiatives reflect a marked departure from the lip service of previous administrations and urged stakeholders at all levels to align with the federal government’s pro-labor posture for national cohesion and progress.
“President Tinubu’s reforms are laying a foundation for a more equitable Nigeria. However, these efforts must cascade to state and private sector workers for maximum national impact,” Buba said.
He concluded by reminding Nigerians that May 1st celebrated globally as International Workers’ Day offers an opportunity not only to honor workers but to reflect on the pressing challenges they face and mobilize action for lasting solutions.
