The Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress has urged the Federal Government to increase the state’s allocation to cater for its high population.

The state Chairman of NLC, Funmi Sessi, made the call at the Workers Day celebrations held on Thursday at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos State.

She said, “We use this medium to call on the Federal Government to give Lagos State more allocation because, as we are the most populous, we need more infrastructure. On a daily basis, Lagos is the centre of unity for those who have been displaced from their states. The government continues to expend huge amounts of money in the state to provide security for all these people. It will be fair on the state to be given more allocation.’’

The labour leader also appealed to residents of the state to pay their taxes to enable the government to provide necessary facilities that would benefit them.

Mrs Sessi said, “Out of 33 million Lagosians, only 100,000 or more pay; in fact, let us state it that it is only public servants that are paying taxes. Please, if you do not pay your taxes, do not hold this government responsible to come and give you many facilities; we are encouraging you to pay your taxes.”

In his remarks, the state Chairman, Trade Union of Congress of Nigeria, Gbenga Ekundayo, urged workers in the state to reclaim the civic space in line with the 2025 May Day theme.

Mr Ekundayo urged the workers to collectively echo their voices to allow unions to grow stronger.

He said, “We echo the call to reclaim our civic space amid economic hardship. Civic space is not merely the right to gather or speak; it is the soul of democracy. Today, inflation is rising, jobs are shrinking, and insecurity looms; yet, in this bleakness, we stand tall, demanding our right to participate, to challenge, to engage.’’

Despite rainfall, workers unions marched in their various colourful attire to celebrate Workers Day.

(NAN)