NIGERIA has again been ranked among the 10 worst countries in the world for workers by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), reinforcing concerns about the state of labour rights in Africa’s largest economy and highlighting what the global labour body describes as a continuing collapse of workers’ protections worldwide.
The 2025 ITUC Global Rights Index, which assesses respect for workers’ rights in 151 countries, places Nigeria alongside Bangladesh, Belarus, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Myanmar, the Philippines, Tunisia and Türkiye as the most hostile environments for workers.
Nigeria’s inclusion in the list follows years of concerns raised by trade unions and labour advocates over restrictions on workers’ rights, anti-union practices, intimidation of labour leaders, and the shrinking space for collective bargaining and industrial action.
The latest ranking builds on findings highlighted in previous ITUC reports, which documented persistent violations of workers’ rights in the country and warned that labour conditions were deteriorating.
The ranking comes amid what the ITUC describes as an unprecedented global decline in labour rights.
According to the report, workers’ rights have worsened across every continent, with Europe and the Americas recording their lowest scores since the index was launched in 2014.
Only seven countries now attain the highest rating for respect of workers’ rights, compared with 18 countries a decade ago, while 39 countries fall into the worst category.
Global Picture Darkens
The ITUC report paints a bleak picture of labour conditions worldwide. Workers had limited or no access to justice in 72 per cent of countries surveyed in 2025 — the highest level ever recorded by the index.
Violations of freedom of speech and assembly were reported in nearly half of all countries assessed, while restrictions on the right to strike and collective bargaining remained widespread.
According to the ITUC, governments and employers in many countries are increasingly undermining trade union activities, weakening workers’ ability to organise, negotiate collectively and seek legal remedies when their rights are violated.
The organisation argues that attacks on labour rights are increasingly linked to broader assaults on democratic freedoms and civic participation.
Three of the world’s five major regions recorded worsening conditions during the year. The Americas registered their weakest score since the index began, while Europe posted its worst performance on record despite remaining the highest-ranked region overall.
The Middle East and North Africa remained the most difficult region for workers, while the Asia-Pacific region showed only marginal improvement.
Nigeria’s Troubling Record
Nigeria’s appearance among the world’s worst countries for workers did not emerge suddenly.
Previous ITUC assessments and labour rights reports have repeatedly highlighted serious concerns about the treatment of workers and trade unions in the country.
In earlier reports, the ITUC cited incidents involving the harassment and intimidation of union leaders, interference in trade union activities, restrictions on collective bargaining, and violations of workers’ rights to organise and protest.
Labour organisations have also complained about the frequent use of security agencies to suppress industrial actions and demonstrations, particularly in disputes involving public-sector workers.
National Record, reporting on the 2025 ITUC assessment, noted that Nigeria was ranked among the world’s most brutal violators of workers’ rights due to recurring attacks on trade union freedoms and persistent anti-worker practices.
The report highlighted concerns over arbitrary arrests of labour activists, intimidation of union officials, and attempts to weaken independent trade union structures.
Trade unions in Nigeria have repeatedly clashed with successive governments over fuel subsidy removals, rising inflation, wage disputes, pension issues and deteriorating living conditions.
Over the years, organised labour had staged nationwide protests and threatened industrial action over economic reforms that had significantly increased the cost of living for workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have also accused authorities of failing to adequately protect workers from the effects of inflation and economic hardship, while employers in both the public and private sectors have faced criticism over poor compliance with labour standards.
Africa’s Labour Rights Challenges
The ITUC noted that Africa’s overall score worsened in 2025, making it the continent’s second-worst performance since the index was introduced.
Workers’ rights across the continent remain under pressure, particularly regarding freedom of association, collective bargaining and the right to strike.
According to the report, workers in 90 per cent of African countries surveyed faced restrictions on their ability to form or join unions, negotiate collectively or engage in industrial action.
Against this backdrop, Nigeria’s labour environment was assessed as having deteriorated sufficiently to warrant inclusion among the world’s poorest performers.
Labour rights advocates argue that Nigeria’s ranking should serve as a warning to policymakers, employers and labour institutions. They contend that stronger enforcement of labour laws, greater respect for trade union freedoms and more effective social dialogue are necessary to reverse the trend.
A Decade of Global Decline
The findings also reveal a broader and longer-term deterioration in labour rights globally. Since 2014, the number of countries receiving the highest rating for workers’ rights has fallen dramatically.
Europe, traditionally regarded as the strongest region for labour protections, has experienced the sharpest decline over the past decade.
The ITUC warns that if current trends continue, no country may retain the highest workers’ rights rating within the next ten years.
The organisation describes the situation as a critical test for democratic governance, arguing that restrictions on trade union freedoms often coincide with wider attacks on civil liberties, freedom of expression and democratic participation.
Looking Ahead
Nigeria’s continued presence among the world’s worst countries for workers is likely to intensify scrutiny of labour relations and workplace protections in the country. It may also strengthen calls for reforms aimed at safeguarding fundamental labour rights, improving enforcement mechanisms and ensuring that workers can organise and bargain collectively without fear of intimidation or retaliation.
For labour advocates, the latest ITUC ranking is not merely a reflection of workplace conditions but an indication of the broader health of democratic institutions and social justice.
As economic pressures mount and labour disputes become more frequent, the challenge for Nigeria will be whether it can reverse a pattern of labour rights violations that has increasingly drawn international attention.
