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By Chukwuma Umeorah
The National President of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB), Jimoh Oyibo, has called on Nigerian workers to reclaim their civic space and demand greater accountability from leadership amid growing economic hardship in the country.
In a message to mark Workers’ Day 2025, Oyibo decried the persistent inflation, currency instability, and declining purchasing power affecting workers nationwide, particularly in the food and beverage sector.
“These conditions have imposed significant hardships on workers and their families, particularly those within our sector who are critical to our nation’s productivity,” he said.
Speaking under the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space amid Economic Hardship”, Oyibo stressed that the challenges confronting Nigerian workers go beyond economic strain. “The responsibility behooves the workers to use the occasion to actively reclaim our civic space, ensuring that every worker’s voice echoes within the corridors of power,” he noted.
He urged members of FOBTOB and the broader labour movement to demand transparency and policies that reflect the aspirations of the working class, adding that civic engagement is vital for a thriving democracy.
“Through our collective action, we can cultivate an environment where dialogue and dissent are not only a permitted norm, but celebrated as foundational elements of a thriving democratic society, she stated.
Oyibo also extended solidarity to workers in precarious employment conditions, calling on the union to advocate “for policies which engender job security, fair wages, and humane working conditions for all.”
Despite economic challenges, Oyibo praised FOBTOB members for their resilience and steadfastness. “You have exhibited remarkable tenacity in upholding the principles of decent work, equitable remuneration, and safe workplaces, even amid dwindling margins, escalating operational pressures, and policy inconsistency.”
Likewise, he commended the National Executive Council (NEC) for their leadership, saying, “Your stewardship has been vital to the progress we have recorded, even in turbulent times.”
He also called for reflection and renewed commitment from union leaders, urging them to “re-calibrate our priorities and recommit ourselves to the defence of workers’ rights with renewed vigour and a unified purpose.”
Highlighting the importance of collaboration, the FOBTOB President emphasized the need for dialogue with employers, regulators, and government bodies to shape worker-friendly policies.
“It is crucial to mention that the voices of the workers remain at the forefront of national discourse, especially in periods when the burdens of economic adjustment disproportionately impact the most vulnerable.”
This is even as he reminded all stakeholders that “national development is inextricably linked to the welfare of those who create wealth,” insisting that the contributions of workers to food security, economic stability, and public well-being must be “respected, acknowledged, and rewarded.”
