- The labour leaders said the demand for a wage review had become unavoidable due to rising inflation, economic hardship
- They said rising poverty levels, inflation, unemployment, and insecurity have continued to worsen
- They cautioned that worsening insecurity could force workers to limit movement if urgent action is not taken by authorities
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to begin talks on a new national minimum wage by July 2026, while also pushing for immediate payment of full basic salaries to workers as a temporary relief measure.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the position was made known in a joint May Day address delivered on Sunday at Eagle Square, Abuja, by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration.
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The labour leaders said the demand for a wage review had become unavoidable due to rising inflation, economic hardship, insecurity, and the steady decline in workers’ purchasing power across the country.
They explained that the renegotiation process for the current minimum wage, which is expected to expire next year, would begin mid 2026 to avoid delays experienced in previous wage negotiations.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage stands at ₦70,000, following its signing into law by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 after extensive negotiations between government, labour, and employers.
Despite the legal framework, labour unions said enforcement across many states remains inconsistent, with some workers still not fully benefiting from the agreement.
As part of their interim demand, the unions urged government and employers to ensure that workers receive 100 per cent of their basic salary from July 2026 until a new wage structure is finalized, describing it as necessary to ease current economic pressure.
In their address, the labour centres painted a bleak picture of the economy, arguing that growth indicators have not translated into improved living conditions for ordinary citizens.
They said rising poverty levels, inflation, unemployment, and insecurity have continued to worsen despite official economic projections.
The unions also criticized what they described as excessive taxation on low income earners, urging government to reduce the burden on struggling workers and stop taxing the minimum wage.
Security concerns were another major issue raised, with labour warning that kidnappings, attacks, and general insecurity are affecting workers’ safety and productivity nationwide.
They cautioned that worsening insecurity could force workers to limit movement if urgent action is not taken by authorities.
The NLC and TUC further expressed concern over alleged non compliance by some state governments with the 2024 wage law, despite increased federal allocations.
Beyond labour issues, the unions also raised concerns about governance, including the independence of democratic institutions, rising fuel costs, challenges in the power sector, and conditions in public institutions.
They warned that weakening institutions and poor accountability could pose risks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the concerns, the labour leaders reaffirmed their readiness to engage government and employers in constructive dialogue while defending workers’ rights.
They also unveiled a nationwide anti corruption campaign titled “Stop the Bleeding”, aimed at tackling financial mismanagement and promoting transparency in public spending.
The May Day event was attended by workers from various sectors including health, education, aviation, telecommunications, manufacturing, and public service.
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