By Victor Ahiuma-Young

Growing inequality is fast becoming a major threat to social stability and democratic governance in Nigeria and across Africa, Organised Labour has warned.

As policymakers gather for high-level talks on sustainable development,
African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC-Africa, says the widening gap between the rich and the poor is pushing millions of workers into deeper hardship while fuelling frustration among citizens.

The warning comes amid concerns that key development targets are slipping out of reach, with workers—especially those in the informal sector—facing stagnant incomes, weak social protection, and limited opportunities.

In a statement, ITUC-Africa’s General Secretary, Akhator Odigie, argued that unless urgent action is taken, the consequences could include increased unrest, declining trust in government, and a weakening of democratic institutions.

According to the statement “Inequality in Africa is not incidental; it is structural and continues to deepen at an alarming rate. Wealth is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few, while the majority of workers—especially in the informal economy—face low incomes, insecurity, and limited social protection.

“This growing disparity is fuelling frustration, social unrest, and insurrections that are disrupting Africa’s development trajectory. Across the continent, many citizens, particularly young people, are losing faith in democratic systems that are failing to deliver tangible improvements in their lives. Democracy must deliver real socio-economic dividends or risk losing legitimacy.

“We stress that discussions on development must move beyond commitments to real outcomes. The critical question is whether policies are transforming the lives of workers in meaningful ways. Where this is not happening, a shift is urgently required.
“Governments must adopt progressive taxation systems to ensure that wealthy individuals and corporations contribute their fair share. Addressing illicit financial flows, tax avoidance, and corruption is essential to financing public services, infrastructure, and social protection systems.

“There is also a need to accelerate action by institutionalising social dialogue, implementing progressive industrial policies, closing the financing gap through domestic resource mobilisation, investing in infrastructure, strengthening climate resilience, and improving governance, data protection, and innovation.”

ITUC-Africa emphasised that the success of development efforts would ultimately be judged not by policy declarations, but by tangible improvements in the daily lives of workers.

It urged African governments, including Nigeria, to act swiftly to reverse current trends and restore confidence in both economic systems and democratic governance.