Review minimum wage now, NLC tells FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the Federal Government to review the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, arguing that several state governments previously considered unable to afford higher salaries are now paying workers more than the federal rate.

NLC President Joe Ajaero made the call on Friday during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, saying the development had undermined the justification for the wage agreement reached with President Bola Tinubu in 2024.

Ajaero said organised labour accepted the ₦70,000 minimum wage after Tinubu appealed to union leaders to consider the financial capacity of state governments, despite indicating that the Federal Government could afford ₦150,000.
“Part of the reason we agreed on 70,000, the president said, and I quote, you know, I can afford to pay 150,000, you know, but the sub-nationals, you have to put them into consideration,” he said.

According to him, negotiations had stalled at ₦60,000 before direct discussions between labour leaders and the President produced the agreement.
However, Ajaero said some states had since introduced higher minimum wages, citing Imo State’s ₦104,000 and others paying between ₦75,000 and ₦100,000.

“All the states are paying more than the federal government,” he claimed.
He urged the Federal Government to reconsider its position, saying the changing wage structure across states justified fresh negotiations.
“So I think it’s incumbent on the federal government to go back to the drawing board and find out what is happening,” he said.
Ajaero also dismissed the Federal Government’s proposed 30-day petrol discount as a temporary intervention incapable of addressing workers’ economic hardship.

Describing the measure as a “panicky measure”, he questioned whether independent petroleum marketers would reduce their prices and what would happen after the discount expired.
“Within 30 days, after 30 days, what happens?” he asked.

The labour leader maintained that the intervention had not altered the NLC’s two-week ultimatum demanding renewed minimum wage negotiations, an interim wage award and appropriate petrol pricing.
He said petrol sold for between ₦650 and ₦750 per litre when the current minimum wage was negotiated, arguing that subsequent price increases had further weakened workers’ purchasing power.

Ajaero also demanded tax relief promised under labour’s 2023 agreement with the government.
He accused the administration of failing to engage organised labour meaningfully or respond to its correspondence.
“The federal government does not dialogue. In the last two, three years, you know, no conversation. Letters are not even attended to,” he said.