Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has identified insecurity and poverty as persistent obstacles to achieving decent work.
The governor stated this while speaking on Friday at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Muhammadu Sunusi Bello Durbar Ground in Dutse.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Insecurity and Poverty as the Bane of Decent Work.”
The governor said the twin issues remain deeply connected to the daily realities of workers and continue to undermine productivity and wellbeing.
Namadi noted that tackling the challenges requires deliberate policies and shared responsibility.
“These are challenges that affect everyday life, and they require sustained attention from all of us,” he said.
The governor explained that his administration’s 12-point development agenda is designed to respond to these concerns, with emphasis on agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, education and social protection.
He said the agricultural transformation initiative is aimed at boosting food security, creating jobs and providing sustainable livelihoods for the majority of citizens.
Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to dialogue with organised labour, stressing that the government remains open to engagement in addressing workers’ concerns.
“We value this partnership and will continue to work together to ensure fairness, transparency, and progress for all workers,” he added.
He called for sustained and collective action to address the challenges affecting workers across the state.
The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Jigawa State, Sunusi Alhassan, acknowledged the government’s efforts in improving workers’ welfare.
He, however, noted that addressing poverty and insecurity remains critical to ensuring decent work and sustainable livelihoods.
He commended the governor for considering the welfare of civil servants in the state.