The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to begin negotiations with the Federal and State Governments for a fresh upward review of workers’ salaries, insisting that the current minimum wage no longer reflects Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
Speaking at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, NLC President Joe Ajaero, represented by the union’s Deputy President, Audu Titus Amba, said organised labour was preparing to engage governments nationwide on a new wage structure. He argued that any minimum wage below ₦500,000 would be inadequate to meet the economic realities confronting Nigerian workers.
Amba stressed that the labour movement was not seeking confrontation with the executive arm of government but was advocating for improved welfare in view of the country’s soaring inflation and increasing cost of living. He expressed optimism that government would give serious consideration to the union’s demands.
Also addressing the summit, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris reaffirmed his commitment to workers’ welfare, recalling that Kebbi was the first state to implement a ₦75,000 minimum wage. He assured civil servants that the state would again lead by implementing any new national minimum wage once approved by the Federal Government.
The governor noted that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage, which expired in July, was only a minimum benchmark and not a living wage capable of meeting workers’ needs.
Idris pledged to champion the cause of workers at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum whenever discussions on a new minimum wage commence, describing civil servants as indispensable partners in governance and national development who deserve adequate compensation for their contributions.
The summit brought together labour leaders, government officials and workers to deliberate on improving workers’ rights and welfare amid Nigeria’s prevailing economic challenges.
About The Author
