Trade unions, informal workers’ organizations, and labour lawyers, with support from the Solidarity Center, have intensified efforts to advocate for fair wages, dignity, and improved working conditions for care sector workers in Nigeria’s rapidly expanding care economy.
This renewed commitment emerged during a two-day training workshop on Coalition Building and Advocacy in the Care Economy, held in Abuja from March 17 to 18, 2026.
Participants drawn from both public and private sectors emphasized that care work across health, education, and informal services remains systematically undervalued by both society and prevailing economic systems.
They stressed the urgent need for coordinated action to address the persistent challenges facing care workers nationwide.
The workshop convened key stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), National Union of Allied Health Professionals, International Lawyers Assisting Workers, and the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organizations of Nigeria (FIWON).
Deliberations during the training explored the concept and scope of care work, alongside findings from a recent study on Nigeria’s care economy conducted by students of Johns Hopkins University in collaboration with the Solidarity Center.
The study highlighted critical gaps in policy, protection, and recognition of care workers, while identifying key opportunities for advocacy and reform.
Participants also examined relevant international frameworks, particularly resolutions of the International Labour Organization on decent work and the care economy.
Discussions focused on aligning these global standards with Nigeria’s local realities and policy environment.
The second day featured cross-country learning, with participants sharing experiences and success stories from Ethiopia, Mexico, South Africa, Pakistan, and Palestine. These case studies showcased innovative strategies adopted by trade unions and governments to improve wages, working conditions, and social protections for care workers.
Sector-specific insights were also shared from stakeholders in health, education, and informal work sectors, followed by practical sessions on coalition building and advocacy.
Through breakout sessions, participants developed actionable strategies aimed at delivering measurable policy and organizational outcomes.
At the close of the workshop, participants expressed renewed commitment to strengthening unity among care sector workers and establishing a broad-based national coalition to champion decent work, social protection, and dignity for care workers across Nigeria.
