Labour unions in Nigeria express concerns that while President Tinubu's economic reforms have shown signs of improvement in financial indicators, ordinary citizens have not experienced any substantial benefits.
In Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms are being scrutinized by labor unions and small-business operators who argue that despite improvements in financial indicators, these gains have not translated into tangible benefits for the average citizen. The Nigeria Labour Congress has pointed out that, while indicators such as foreign exchange stability and inflation moderation appear to be improving, ordinary Nigerians are burdened with high prices and operating costs that overshadow these gains.
The economic indicators present a mixed picture; the naira has strengthened against the dollar, now around N1,360, following a period of significant volatility where it dipped to nearly N1,800. Additionally, the country's gross external reserves peaked at $50.45 billion, marking a 13-year high, which potentially allows for over nine months of import cover. The capitalisation of the Nigerian Exchange market has also crossed N100 trillion, buoyed by foreign investments, which reached $1.97 billion in 2025, the highest in nearly two decades.
However, the benefits of these economic improvements seem to have eluded many Nigerians, especially those in lower-income brackets. The Nigeria Labour Congress emphasizes that while economic policies may be showing positive metrics on paper, the palpable effects of these reforms on everyday life remain to be seen, as citizens continue to grapple with persistently high living costs that negate the perceived benefits of the reforms.
