The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to reopen negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage, insisting that Nigerian workers can no longer cope with the rising cost of living.
The labour unions said the current wage structure no longer reflects the country’s economic realities, as inflation, rising food prices, transport costs, housing expenses and healthcare bills continue to erode workers’ purchasing power.
Speaking during the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the unions stressed that they would push for a “genuine living wage” and firmly rejected any attempt to impose taxes on the minimum wage or place additional financial burdens on low-income earners.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of ₦70,000 was signed into law in July 2024, with an initial agreement that it would be reviewed every three years. However, the Federal Government later adjusted the framework, reducing the review period to two years, making 2026 the next review window.
In preparation for that deadline, organised labour said it would immediately write to the Federal Government to begin fresh negotiations and avoid the delays that have characterised previous wage reviews.
“The current Act expires early next year, and we have announced that renegotiation will commence by July 2026 to avoid the painful delays of the past,” the unions said.
According to labour leaders, workers are already facing severe economic hardship due to inflation, the depreciation of the naira and rising costs across essential services.
They argued that official economic statistics do not capture the daily struggles of ordinary Nigerians and warned that taxing the minimum wage would only deepen poverty.
“We demand nothing less than a genuine living wage that reflects today’s harsh economic realities,” the unions declared.
They also called on federal and state governments to introduce temporary relief measures to cushion the impact of economic hardship while negotiations are ongoing.
Beyond wages, the unions raised concerns over insecurity, unemployment and increasing poverty across the country.
They noted that worsening violence in many parts of Nigeria has made commuting unsafe for workers, disrupted economic activities and displaced millions of people.
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According to the labour movement, nearly 2,000 people were killed in the first quarter of the year, while millions have been forced out of their homes.
The unions warned that if insecurity continues unchecked, many workers may be forced to stay away from work for their own safety, creating tensions that could go beyond conventional industrial actions.
They also lamented the growing level of poverty in the country, estimating that about 150 million Nigerians are currently living in multidimensional poverty.
While acknowledging ongoing economic reforms, labour leaders argued that such policies have yet to translate into improved living standards for the majority of citizens.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the NLC and TUC said they are preparing a charter of demands that will guide their engagement with political actors.
They stated that only candidates and political parties committed to improving security, protecting labour rights, reforming wages and strengthening public services would earn the support of organised labour.
The unions also accused some state governments of interfering in union affairs and pledged to resist any attempt to undermine the independence of labour organisations.
As the 2026 wage review approaches, organised labour maintained that its focus remains on securing a minimum wage that truly reflects current economic realities and protects workers from worsening hardship.
