By Joy Onu
The Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has raised concern over the growing impact of insecurity and poverty on decent work in Nigeria, warning that both challenges are increasingly threatening journalists’ safety and welfare.
In her 2026 Workers’ Day message to journalists and workers in the Federal Capital Territory, Ike said the theme of this year’s celebration, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” reflects the deep structural challenges affecting labour productivity, professional practice, and living standards nationwide.
She noted that journalists in the FCT continue to operate under difficult conditions, where safety risks, economic hardship, and limited access to information are affecting their ability to effectively carry out their duties.
“I warmly felicitate with all journalists and workers across the Federal Capital Territory on the occasion of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration,” she said.
Ike warned that insecurity remains a major threat to press freedom, exposing journalists to avoidable risks while restricting their access to critical information and operational environments necessary for effective reporting.
She further observed that worsening poverty and economic pressures are eroding the dignity of labour, weakening morale, and placing additional strain on workers across both public and private sectors.
According to her, the combined effect of insecurity and poverty is not only undermining decent work but also weakening institutional stability and productivity in the country.
The NUJ FCT Chairman called on government at all levels to intensify efforts toward strengthening national security systems and implementing sustainable economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and improving the welfare of citizens.
She also urged media organisations and employers to prioritise the welfare and safety of journalists through fair remuneration, improved working conditions, insurance coverage, and continuous professional development.
Ike stressed that safeguarding journalists is essential to protecting democracy, accountability, and public access to information.
She further called for stronger solidarity among journalists and workers, noting that collective advocacy remains key to addressing systemic challenges affecting the labour sector.
The NUJ FCT Chairman encouraged journalists and workers to remain resilient in the face of national difficulties, expressing optimism that coordinated action between government, employers, and labour institutions would help improve working conditions and strengthen decent work in Nigeria.
