Workers’ Day in Nigeria: A Salute to the Backbone of the Nation

Every 1st of May, Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day or May Day—a day dedicated to honouring the tireless efforts of workers who form the backbone of every nation’s economy.

The history of Workers’ Day dates back to the labour union movements of the late 19th century, particularly the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, where workers protested for an eight-hour workday. This movement eventually gained global traction, prompting countries across the world to designate 1st May as a public holiday in honour of workers.