On May 1, 2025, the heart of Abuja thrummed with purpose as Nigeria joined the world in celebrating International Workers’ Day. Against a backdrop of economic hardship, the air was charged with resolve, and at the forefront stood Comrade Grace Ike, the indomitable Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council. Her May Day message, a powerful blend of praise for workers and a demand for press freedom and fair conditions, ignited hope across the nation. As she spoke, Ike transformed Labour Day into a battle cry for reclaiming the civic space—a space where truth, justice, and workers’ rights reign supreme.
International Workers’ Day, observed annually on May 1, is a global homage to the labor that builds nations and a platform to champion workers’ rights. In Nigeria, where 2025 brings soaring inflation, job insecurity, and a relentless cost-of-living crisis, Labour Day is a poignant reminder of resilience and resistance. The 2025 theme, “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” underscores the need to protect democratic pillars—freedom of speech, press liberty, and equitable labor conditions—amid adversity. Labour Day is both a celebration of workers’ contributions and a call to action, urging Nigerians to unite for a future where economic struggles do not silence voices or erode rights.
Grace Ike is a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, etching her name in history as the first woman to chair the NUJ FCT Council. With over 20 years in the field, Ike’s career spans investigative reporting, political analysis, and social advocacy, earning her a reputation for fearless truth-telling. Rising through a male-dominated industry, she broke barriers with her sharp intellect and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices. Elected NUJ FCT Chairman in 2023, Ike has championed journalists’ welfare, securing training programs and pushing for protections against harassment. A mentor to young reporters and a staunch advocate for gender equity, her leadership embodies the courage and compassion needed to navigate Nigeria’s complex media landscape.
The morning of May 1, 2025, dawned over Abuja’s Eagle Square, where workers from all walks of life—teachers, traders, civil servants, and journalists—gathered under a sea of banners. The mood was defiant, tempered by the weight of Nigeria’s economic woes: fuel prices had spiked again, food markets were out of reach for many, and job losses loomed large. Yet, as Comrade Grace Ike stepped to the podium, her presence radiated strength. The first woman to lead the NUJ FCT, she was a symbol of possibility, and her Labour Day message was a spark in the gathering storm.
“Workers’ Day is not just a time to honor the value of work,” Ike declared, her voice clear and resolute, “but to recommit ourselves to protecting the civic space—a space where every voice matters, where truth is defended, and where rights are respected.” The crowd, weathered by hardship, leaned in. The theme of reclaiming civic space resonated deeply in a nation where journalists faced censorship, low wages, and physical threats, while workers across sectors grappled with shrinking opportunities. Ike, a veteran of newsrooms where she had dodged intimidation to expose corruption, knew these struggles intimately.
“The media plays a vital role, now more than ever,” she continued. “Journalists must speak out, hold leaders accountable, and protect the vulnerable. We must defend press freedom, push back against censorship, and fight for fair treatment.” Her words were a lifeline to the journalists in the crowd, many earning barely enough to survive yet risking their lives to report truth. Ike’s own journey—from a young reporter facing skepticism to a leader shaping the NUJ—lent her words authenticity. She had seen colleagues silenced, stories spiked, and newsrooms gutted, yet she stood firm, urging her peers to keep the flame of truth alive.
Ike’s message reached beyond the press. She called on the government to enact laws safeguarding journalists and ensuring fair wages, on private employers to prioritize worker welfare, and on civil society to amplify the voiceless. “Let’s not allow these economic struggles to take away our rights or silence us,” she urged, her voice rising with passion. “Instead, let our difficulties unite us in building a fairer Nigeria where every worker can thrive.” The crowd erupted, their cheers a testament to her ability to channel shared pain into collective purpose.
As the first female NUJ FCT Chairman, Ike’s leadership was a beacon. She envisioned a Nigeria where newsrooms buzzed without fear, where workers earned living wages, and where civic spaces—market squares, media houses, and public forums—throbbed with free expression. Her tenure had already brought tangible gains: mentorship programs for young journalists, dialogues with policymakers on press protections, and campaigns for gender equity in media. But Labour Day 2025 was her boldest call yet—a plea for unity and action to transform workers’ sacrifices into progress.
As the sun set over Eagle Square, Ike’s words echoed in hearts and headlines. Journalists in Lagos newsrooms typed with renewed vigor. Workers in Kano markets discussed their rights. Policymakers in Abuja felt the pressure to act. Grace Ike had turned Labour Day into a movement, a pledge to reclaim the civic space and build a Nigeria where no worker, no voice, is shackled. With her at the helm, the fight for freedom and fairness had found its fiercest champion.