- NLC, federal workers say ₦70,000 minimum wage is no longer realistic.
- States like Imo, Lagos, and Rivers have already raised minimum wages above the national benchmark.
- NLC warns of worsening hardship unless urgent wage review is done.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal government workers have called on the Federal Government to immediately revisit the national minimum wage, insisting that the current ₦70,000 is no longer adequate to meet the rising cost of living.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the demand comes in the wake of several states taking independent steps to increase minimum wages beyond the national benchmark, in response to economic realities such as soaring inflation, high food prices, transport costs, and the general cost of living.
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In separate interviews with newsmen, labour representatives and civil servants said the value of the ₦70,000 wage has significantly depreciated, leaving many workers struggling to survive.
It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu signed a new National Minimum Wage Bill into law in July 2024, raising the wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000. The law applies across the public and private sectors — including federal, state, and local governments.
However, several states have since taken the initiative to raise their own minimum wages beyond the national figure:
Imo State, on August 27, 2025, announced a new minimum wage of ₦104,000, with Governor Hope Uzodinma stating the decision followed negotiations with organised labour and aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
Lagos State had earlier, on October 16, 2024, raised its minimum wage to ₦85,000, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pledging to push it further to ₦100,000 by 2025.
Rivers State followed suit on October 18, 2024, approving ₦85,000, while Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom approved ₦80,000.
Other states like Ogun and Delta moved to ₦77,000, Benue and Osun pegged it at ₦75,000, and Ondo set its wage at ₦73,000.
The Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Benson Upah, speaking in Abuja, expressed serious concern over the current state of workers’ welfare.
“The truth is that ₦70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation,” he said.
Upah added that many workers are facing unbearable financial strain and may soon be unable to meet their most basic needs unless the federal government responds decisively.
“Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen. We have since engaged the Federal Government on this matter at different times and fora,” he stated.
The unions are now urging the Federal Government to follow the lead of progressive states and begin talks on a new, realistic national minimum wage in line with current economic challenges.
