By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed calls to raise the national minimum wage from ₦70,000 to ₦100,000, insisting that the proposed figure falls far short of what Nigerian workers need to cope with the country’s rising cost of living.
The labour union’s position comes days after Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq urged President Bola Tinubu to consider increasing the minimum wage to ₦100,000 during a meeting with state governors in Lagos.
Reacting to the proposal, the NLC argued that while an increase may be necessary, ₦100,000 remains inadequate in the face of soaring inflation, high food prices, transportation costs, and the continued erosion of workers’ purchasing power.
Labour leaders maintained that a wage closer to ₦1 million would more accurately reflect current economic realities and provide meaningful relief for Nigerian workers struggling to meet basic needs.
The union stressed that the debate should focus on ensuring a living wage capable of sustaining workers and their families rather than adopting figures that quickly become ineffective due to inflationary pressures.
The comments are expected to reignite discussions on workers’ welfare, wage reforms, and the growing economic challenges confronting millions of Nigerians amid calls for broader measures to cushion the impact of rising living costs.
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