The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected a proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage, insisting that the amount is far from enough to meet the realities of the current economic situation facing Nigerian workers.
The proposal was recently put forward by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who suggested that ₦100,000 be adopted as the new national minimum wage, noting that several states are already paying workers around that figure.
However, the NLC believes the proposal falls short of what workers truly need to survive. Speaking on the issue, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah described the governors’ suggestion as thoughtful but inadequate.
According to him, the combined effects of inflation, the weakening naira, rising electricity tariffs, increased fuel prices, and higher living costs have drastically reduced the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
“Given the current economic realities, a realistic living wage could be as high as ₦1 million per month,” Upah stated, arguing that workers deserve compensation that reflects the true cost of living.
He also maintained that governments now have stronger revenue streams to support improved wages, citing increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and additional earnings generated by developments in the global oil market.
The current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024 after months of negotiations between government and labour unions. While the increase was widely welcomed at the time, labour leaders argue that rising inflation has significantly eroded its value.
Nigeria has witnessed sharp increases in the cost of food, transportation, housing, electricity, and other essential services since the removal of fuel subsidies and the liberalization of the foreign exchange market. Although inflation has moderated compared to previous peaks, many households continue to struggle with the high cost of living.
The NLC maintains that any future wage review must go beyond nominal increases and focus on ensuring that workers can afford basic necessities and maintain a decent standard of living. Labour leaders have repeatedly stressed that without broader economic stability, even substantial wage increases may offer only temporary relief.
As discussions continue between labour unions, state governors, and the Federal Government, the debate over what constitutes a fair and sustainable minimum wage is expected to remain at the center of national economic discourse.
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