By Augustine Aminu
Trade unions and informal worker organizations affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), with support from the Solidarity Centre (SC), have emphasised the need to step up efforts to champion fair pay and recognition for care workers in Nigeria’s growing care economy.
The unions also renewed commitment to building a national coalition that will champion decent work, fair wages, and dignity for care and informal workers across Nigeria.
This formed part of discussions and resolutions at a two-day training on Coalition Building and Advocacy in the Care Economy, held in Lagos from October 16 to 17, 2025.
Participants, drawn from both the public and private sectors, reaffirmed the need for collective action to address the persistent challenges confronting care and informal workers across the country.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Deddeh Tulay, the Solidarity Center West Africa Country Program Director underscored the importance of collaboration in strengthening the care economy.
“No single organization can win this struggle alone. Building coalitions helps us amplify our voice, share resources, and push for real policy change that values care work,” she said.
The Solidarity Center Country Director in her presentation emphasized the “power of numbers” and the need to “identify the right stakeholders and pool resources for stronger collective action.”
Also speaking, Comrade Funmi Sessi, Chairperson of the NLC Lagos State Council, described the coalition initiative as “timely and necessary.”
“This coalition could not have come at a better time. Care workers are increasingly vulnerable to precarious work conditions, low pay, and lack of recognition. We must act together to change that,” she stated.
The first day of the workshop unpacked the concept of care work and presented findings from a recent study on Nigeria’s care economy, conducted by students of Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with the Solidarity Center, highlighting key gaps, challenges, and advocacy opportunities.
Discussions also explored the International Labour Organization (ILO) Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy, linking global policy frameworks to national realities.
The second day featured inspiring success stories from care and informal workers in Mexico, South Africa, and Palestine, showcasing how organizing and advocacy have improved workers’ welfare and recognition in those countries.
Participants also shared sector-specific experiences from health, construction, and informal work sectors before engaging in practical sessions on coalition building and advocacy strategies.
Breakout sessions enabled participants to design sector-based action plans focused on advocacy priorities and measurable outcomes.
The event brought together representatives from the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), unions in construction, chemical and civil engineering, and the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organizations of Nigeria (FIWON).
