The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, says the rising wave of emigration among Nigerians is due to the worsening insecurity, unemployment and deepening poverty across the country.
Chairman of the Council, Comrade Samson Nwafor, stated this while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration in Abakaliki, noting that the prevailing socio-economic conditions have made living and working in Nigeria increasingly difficult.
Nwafor said the theme of this year’s May Day celebration, tagged "insecurity, poverty- bane of decent work, aptly captured the realities confronting Nigerian workers.
According to him, the deteriorating security situation and economic hardship have not only undermined productivity but also forced many citizens, particularly the youth, to seek opportunities abroad.
“The situation is bad. Workers are suffering, and those without jobs are even worse hit due to the high level of unemployment in the country.
“It has become obvious that this is the reason many Nigerians are leaving the country. The environment appears increasingly uninhabitable, such that anyone that have the opportunity to relocate abroad, organizes thanksgiving to celebrate it. This not a good development for our country, "he said.
He called on the Federal Government to urgently implement policies and interventions that would cushion the effects of hardship and restore confidence in the system, stressing that Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest economy should reflect in the welfare of its citizens.
The NUJ chairman further noted that journalists were the worst affected by the current challenges, given the demanding and hazardous nature of their job, which often expose them to risks, harassment and economic uncertainty.
“Journalists work round the clock under very difficult conditions. While others rest, they are out covering events, responding to emergencies and ensuring that the public is well informed, often in unsafe environments,” he said.
He advocated targeted interventions for media professionals, including improved welfare packages, enhanced security protection and institutional support to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
On the situation in Ebonyi State, Nwafor commended the state government for his efforts in improving workers’ welfare, noting that conditions had improved compared to previous years.
He, however, urged the government to sustain and expand its interventions, as workers continue to grapple with rising living costs.
In a related development, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ebonyi State chapter, Comrade Nkechinyere Oginyi acknowledged the state government’s strides, particularly in the implementation of the minimum wage and provision of transportation support for workers.
She, however, highlighted persistent challenges, including housing deficits and rising cost of rent, which she said continue to strain workers’ finances.
“An average worker still struggles to meet basic needs such as accommodation and school fees despite salary improvements. There is a need for government to consider low-cost housing schemes for workers,” she said.
Also speaking, a labour leader and Trade Union Congress (TUC) official, Igwe James Samanja, described Workers’ Day as an opportunity to both appreciate government efforts and demand improved conditions of service.
He urged political leaders to prioritise workers’ welfare, warning that Nigerians have become more politically conscious and would increasingly base their electoral choices on performance.
“As we approach future elections, leaders must understand that if they fail to deliver, the people will vote them out,” he said.
Also speaking, the Financial Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Israel Mbam, alongside other labour Union leaders at the event, unanimously called for intensified efforts to tackle insecurity, create employment opportunities, and improve living standards.
They stressed that the wellbeing of workers remains central to national development, urging government at all levels to prioritise policies that promote job creation, safety, and economic stability.END//
