May 1st, recognized globally as International Workers’ Day, is not only a celebration of the victories of labor movements but also a sobering reminder of the struggles that many workers continue to face—especially in economies like Nigeria’s, where inflation, stagnant wages, and rising costs of living significantly affect daily well-being.
A Brief Historical Context
Workers’ Day has its roots in the late 19th-century labor movement, particularly the struggle for the 8-hour workday, which originated from protests and labor actions in the U.S. around May 1, 1886. Over time, May 1st became an international symbol of worker solidarity and rights.
In Nigeria, Workers’ Day was first officially recognized in 1981 under the administration of President Shehu Shagari. Since then, it has served as a platform to celebrate labor contributions and to demand better working conditions.
But in recent years, the celebration has grown more muted. Many Nigerian workers now view the day as a brief respite in a long journey of economic hardship.
Mental Health and the Nigerian Worker: A Crisis in Silence
The economic downturn, galloping inflation, and removal of fuel subsidies have compounded pressure on Nigerian workers. The Naira's decline, combined with skyrocketing prices of food, transportation, and housing, has placed many in survival mode. For many, salaries have remained static while the cost of living has more than doubled.
This has a direct impact on mental health:
Common Mental Health Struggles:
1. Chronic stress and anxiety over bills, children’s school fees, transportation, and rent.
2. Depression and hopelessness stemming from feeling undervalued or stuck.
3. Burnout from overworking or taking multiple jobs just to meet basic needs.
4. Social withdrawal, fatigue, and increased irritability.
Mental health is not a luxury; it's a foundation. When left unattended, these challenges can lead to serious physical illnesses and breakdowns in family and work relationships.
Cushioning the Impact: What Can Be Done?
While systemic changes are necessary, individuals and governments can take practical steps to ease the economic and mental strain on workers.
1. Personal Financial Wisdom
- Budget ruthlessly: Prioritize essentials, cut out non-essentials, and track spending weekly.
- Buy in bulk: Staple foods like rice, beans, and garri can be cheaper when bought in larger quantities.
- Explore co-ops: Form community buying groups with neighbors or colleagues to get wholesale prices.
- Side hustles and digital skills: Learning online skills (copywriting, digital marketing, data entry) can offer additional income with flexibility.
2. Dietary Adjustments
Food inflation is real, but nutrition doesn’t have to suffer. Consider:
- Seasonal foods: Eating what's in season (e.g., vegetables, fruits) reduces cost and boosts nutrition.
- Alternative proteins: Beans, eggs, and local fish like mackerel or crayfish can replace expensive meats.
- Batch cooking: Reduces fuel use and minimizes waste.
- Body adaptation: The body can adjust to simpler, nutrient-dense meals over time. Cutting down on salt, sugar, and oil can also improve health, saving money on medical bills in the long run.
3. Mental Health Habits
- Practice mindfulness: A few minutes of deep breathing, journaling, or prayer daily can lower stress hormones.
- Connect socially: Isolation worsens stress. Make time to talk with trusted friends or family.
- Rest intentionally: Quality sleep and short breaks during the day are not optional—they’re vital.
- Seek affordable counseling: NGOs like Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) and She Writes Woman offer low-cost mental health support.
What Can the Government Do—Beyond Wage Increases?
While salary reviews are important, a holistic approach is more sustainable. Here are non-wage policy solutions:
A. Smart Food Subsidies: Reviving Agriculture and Preserving Nutrition
Rather than focus solely on fuel, the government can create a strategic food subsidy program that also revitalizes Nigeria’s agriculture.
Historically, Nigeria was a global powerhouse in agricultural exports—cocoa, groundnuts, palm oil, and cotton sustained the economy before oil became dominant. Today, local farmers remain under-supported, with poor storage systems, market access, and pricing insecurity. This makes agriculture unattractive, especially to the younger generation.
A smart food subsidy plan could change that by:
1. Empowering Farmers through Cooperatives
The government can mandate and incentivize cooperative farming where smallholder farmers are grouped by location or produce type. These cooperatives can be given:
Input support (seeds, fertilizer, tools)
Training on sustainable farming
Targeted production quotas for key staples like rice, maize, beans, tomatoes, and vegetables
2. Guaranteed Government Buy-Back
Once food is harvested, the government commits to buying produce at pre-agreed fair prices, eliminating middlemen exploitation and post-harvest waste.
This gives farmers income certainty and dignity in their labor, knowing their hard work won't go to waste.
3. Investment in Processing and Preservation
Instead of letting seasonal crops rot, the government and private sector can fund local agro-processing plants:
Tomatoes can become tinned paste.
Mangoes and oranges can be turned into bottled juices.
Cocoa can yield hot chocolate and cocoa powder.
Yams, cassava, and plantains can be processed into flour, chips, or dried staples.
This extends shelf life, creates jobs, and reduces the need for expensive imports.
4. Regulated Distribution to the Public
The government can then re-sell these foods to the public at controlled prices, subsidized not by loans but by savings from oil earnings, import duties, or reduced wastage. This ensures that workers can afford nutritious food year-round, even if they earn a modest income.
5. Potential for Export
When we invest in value-added products (like Nigerian-brand cocoa, spices, or dried fruit), we can compete in global markets, earn foreign exchange, and rebrand Nigeria as an agricultural innovator.
B. Public Transport Expansion
- Affordable, reliable public transport reduces dependence on fuel.
- Investments in rail systems, buses, and rural connectivity ease financial pressure.
C. Shrinkflation Regulation
- Shrinkflation (where product sizes reduce but prices stay the same) is deceiving and erodes consumer purchasing power.
- Stronger consumer protection laws are needed to monitor and regulate these practices.
D. Tax Relief for Low-Income Earners
- Introduce temporary tax holidays or lower PAYE rates for those earning under a specific threshold.
E. Affordable Housing and Healthcare
- Government-backed low-cost housing and community health insurance schemes can greatly relieve burdens.
Conclusion: Let May 1st Be More Than a Holiday
Workers’ Day must move from mere rhetoric to real relief. Nigerian workers are resilient, but resilience without support becomes exploitation. We need a society where hard work is matched by dignity, support, and opportunity.
This year, let’s reflect not just on what labor has achieved, but on how we can protect the mental and physical health of those who build our economy every day.
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