NLC Rejects ₦100,000 Wage Proposal, Wants Higher Pay
By Wellington Jopelo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage being considered by state governors, insisting that the figure is no longer enough to meet the needs of Nigerian workers amid rising living costs.
The labour union’s position follows comments by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who disclosed that governors were considering a new minimum wage of ₦100,000 in response to inflation and the economic challenges facing workers.
Reacting to the proposal, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah said the suggested amount falls far below what workers require to survive under current economic conditions. According to him, the sharp rise in food prices, transport costs, electricity tariffs, fuel prices and the continued decline in the value of the naira have significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.
Upah argued that a realistic wage should reflect the true cost of living in the country. He maintained that Nigerian workers deserve far more than the amount being proposed if salaries are to meet present-day economic realities.
The debate comes less than two years after President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage into law in July 2024 following lengthy negotiations between the government and organised labour. However, labour leaders say inflation has already eroded much of the value of that wage increase.
Labour unions have also complained that several state governments are yet to fully implement the existing ₦70,000 minimum wage, especially for local government workers, primary school teachers and healthcare workers.
In recent months, the NLC and the Trade Union Congress have intensified calls for another wage review, arguing that workers are struggling to cope with rising expenses. Labour leaders have repeatedly stated that wages should guarantee a decent standard of living rather than mere survival.
The growing disagreement over salaries highlights the economic pressure facing both workers and governments. While labour unions insist that workers deserve significantly higher pay, many state governments argue that limited revenues and increasing financial obligations make large wage increases difficult to sustain.
With negotiations expected to continue in the coming months, the minimum wage debate is likely to remain a major issue as workers push for better compensation and governments seek a balance between employee welfare and financial sustainability.