Prominent pro-democracy and civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has made a passionate appeal to government to pay urgent attention to accelerating economic collapse facing Nigerian workers, families, and youths today.
HURIWA warned that the country was sliding deeper into a state of avoidable mass deprivation,if government fails to act and urgently too.
In a statement made available to VDCInsights and signed by the National Coordinator of HURIWA,Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group said “Nigeria today is confronted with a full-blown cost-of-living emergency.”
Onwubiko said “Inflation has destroyed purchasing power. Food prices have become unbearable. Transportation costs—driven by repeated and unprecedented increases in petrol prices—have turned mobility and production into luxury items for ordinary citizens.”
He noted “The combined effect is a suffocating economic environment that is crushing households across all income brackets.”
“It is deeply painful and unacceptable that those who wake up daily to teach, heal, build, farm, produce, transport, protect, and serve this nation are still denied the dignity and fair reward their labour deserves.”
HURIWA stated “The current wage structure is obsolete, unjust, and disconnected from economic reality. The so-called minimum wage has been overtaken by hardship and can no longer guarantee survival, let alone a decent life.”
It added “Across the federation, Nigerian families are sinking deeper into multidimensional poverty. Millions can no longer afford basic nutrition, essential healthcare, decent shelter, or quality education. The result is a slow but dangerous erosion of human dignity and national productivity.”
The group further stated “Even more alarming is the worsening unemployment crisis. Nigerian youths in cities are increasingly trapped in cycles of joblessness, underemployment, and hopelessness”, stressing “This growing army of economically excluded young people represents not just a social challenge, but a looming national security risk, if left unaddressed”.
HURIWA warned that no responsible government can continue to ignore these realities without consequences,pointing out that a society where workers are impoverished and youths are idle is a society standing on the edge of instability.
In light of this national emergency, HURIWA demands the following immediate actions:
• Immediate implementation of a realistic living wage, not a symbolic minimum wage, that reflects Nigeria’s current cost of living realities.
• Urgent stabilization of fuel prices and full transparency in the downstream petroleum sector, to end the endless shock of transportation cost hikes.
• A national emergency employment programme, with measurable targets for youth job creation across agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing, and digital industries.
• Comprehensive social protection interventions, including food support systems and targeted subsidies for vulnerable households.
• Decisive action to curb inflation and protect purchasing power, particularly for low and middle-income earners.
• Strong support mechanisms for SMEs and informal sector operators, who remain the backbone of Nigeria’s real economy.
HURIWA also issues a strong warning against any attempt to introduce new or increased taxation on citizens at this time.
“Such a move would amount to economic insensitivity of the highest order. It would further impoverish struggling families, cripple small businesses, and deepen national anger and distrust.”
The rights group stated “Government must understand clearly: you cannot tax citizens into poverty and expect national stability. You cannot withdraw support from workers and expect productivity. You cannot ignore youth unemployment and expect peace.”
“Nigeria is at a critical crossroads. The choices made now will determine whether the country stabilizes or deteriorates further into widespread social and economic distress.”
HURIWA therefore calls on all tiers of government to act with urgency, courage, and responsibility, adding that the time for rhetoric is over, the time for emergency economic justice is now.
HURIWA concluded by warning “A nation that neglects its workers, abandons its youths, and overburdens its families cannot sustain itself.”
