The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has raised concerns over the combined impact of high taxation, low wages, and mounting national debt, describing them as serious threats to Nigeria’s economic and democratic stability.

NLC President Joe Ajaero issued the warning during the book launch and 85th birthday celebration of NLC founding president Hassan Summonu, urging the federal government to rethink new tax laws and meaningfully engage organized labour in policy decisions.

Ajaero criticized the exclusion of workers and the poor from policymaking, saying, “Policies on fuel pricing, taxation, wages, and social services must be crafted with the active input of those who represent the workers and the masses.” He condemned the new tax laws, labeling them regressive and disproportionately burdensome on those earning the national minimum wage or living in poverty.

Highlighting broader concerns, Ajaero questioned the transparency of government borrowing and stressed that economic democracy requires inclusive governance. “Insisting on going ahead amid confusion is like muddling along in darkness. This pattern undermines tax administration and our democracy,” he said.

The NLC leader also called on the federal government to fully constitute the National Pension Commission (PenCom) board and address public concerns over taxation, insisting that bypassing key stakeholders erodes public trust and threatens national stability.

Concluding his remarks, Ajaero reaffirmed the union’s commitment to advocating for workers’ rights: “We will continue to organize, challenge power, and fight for a Nigeria where no worker has to agonise over poverty, insecurity, heavy taxation, or a stolen future riddled with national debt.”