Nigeria’s worsening cost-of-living crisis came under sharp scrutiny on Thursday as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a strong warning that rising fuel prices and systemic economic pressures are pushing workers deeper into hardship, urging immediate government intervention to avert further deterioration.
In a statement marking International Workers’ Day 2026, the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu, said the recent petrol price hikes have triggered a chain reaction of economic strain, with transportation costs soaring beyond the reach of average Nigerians and severely eroding workers’ incomes.
He warned that the daily reality for millions of workers—particularly those dependent on commuting—has become increasingly unsustainable, with productivity declining as basic mobility becomes a luxury rather than a necessity. According to him, the situation is steadily undermining not just economic stability but also the dignity of labour in the country.
The NHRC identified transportation as a critical pressure point, noting that the absence of a functional and affordable public transport system has amplified the impact of fuel price increases. It cautioned that without urgent corrective measures, a significant portion of the workforce risks sliding further into economic vulnerability.
Beyond fuel and transport costs, Ojukwu drew attention to entrenched structural challenges worsening the crisis. These include controversial estimated electricity billing practices, persistent metering gaps, rising housing costs, and limited access to quality healthcare under the National Health Insurance framework. He also flagged recurring industrial actions in the health sector, attributing them to poor welfare conditions that ultimately affect both workers and the broader population.
The Commission further raised concerns over wage disparities among workers performing similar roles, calling for transparent and equitable salary harmonisation across sectors. It described delays in the payment of retirement benefits as a grave injustice, warning that such practices strip retirees of dignity and financial security after years of service.
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark Workers’ Day, the Commission delivered a blunt message: economic reforms must not come at the expense of citizens’ dignity. Without deliberate protections, it warned, Nigerian workers will continue to shoulder disproportionate hardship in a system that offers little relief.
Michael Olugbode
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