The Federal Government has declared Friday, May 1, 2026, a public holiday to mark this year’s International Workers Day.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the holiday on behalf of the government, with Permanent Secretary Magdalene Ajani signing the statement on Thursday. The announcement came after a Wednesday report said Tunji-Ojo had already confirmed the public holiday, putting the observance of workers’ day 2026 firmly on the calendar.
The statement congratulated Nigerian workers across the country and praised their hard work and dedication to national development. It said their efforts are essential to the nation’s growth and prosperity, and Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and security.
International Workers’ Day is observed on May 1, and the holiday has long been used to draw attention to labour and the people who keep public and private services moving. This year’s message from the Interior Ministry tied the day not only to celebration, but also to the broader demands of welfare, security and national development.
Tunji-Ojo also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding and to use the occasion to reflect on the importance of unity and diligence in nation-building. That leaves the holiday doing double duty: giving workers a day off, and pressing the country to think about the conditions under which they work.
