The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced plans to begin discussions on a new national minimum wage by July 2026, while also urging that workers across the country receive full payment of their basic salaries until negotiations are concluded.
This position was made known during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at Eagle Square, where NLC President Joe Ajaero and Trade Union Congress President Festus Osifo addressed a large gathering of workers.
In their joint speech, the labour leaders said the planned wage review had become necessary due to rising inflation, economic hardship, insecurity, and the declining value of workers’ earnings. They noted that starting negotiations early would help prevent delays experienced in the past, especially as the current wage structure is set to expire next year.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of N70,000 was signed into law in July 2024 by Bola Tinubu following negotiations involving the government, labour unions, and the private sector. However, the unions pointed out that implementation has remained inconsistent across states.
They called on workers to support the push for what they described as a realistic and sustainable wage, adding that paying full basic salaries in the interim would help ease the financial strain many workers face.
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The unions also painted a bleak picture of the country’s economic situation, arguing that despite reports of economic growth, many Nigerians continue to struggle with rising poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. According to them, the benefits of growth are not reaching the majority of citizens.
They further criticised what they described as heavy taxation on low-income earners, urging the federal government to introduce tax relief measures. Concerns were also raised about the impact of insecurity on workers’ safety, with reports of kidnappings and attacks affecting daily life and productivity.
The labour bodies warned that if the situation does not improve, they may advise workers to limit movement to protect themselves.
Additionally, they accused some state governments of failing to fully implement the current minimum wage law, noting that in some areas, Workers’ Day was marked by protests rather than celebrations.
Beyond wages, the unions expressed concern over governance issues, including the state of democratic institutions, the power sector, and rising fuel costs. They also announced a nationwide anti-corruption campaign tagged “Stop the Bleeding” to highlight misuse of public funds.
Despite these challenges, the labour leaders reaffirmed their commitment to engaging with the government and employers to improve workers’ welfare across the country.
