The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage reportedly being considered by state governors, insisting that the amount is inadequate to meet the current economic realities facing Nigerian workers.
The position was made known by the union’s spokesperson, Benson Upah, who argued that inflation, naira depreciation and the rising cost of living have significantly reduced the value of workers’ earnings.
The debate follows recent comments by AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, who disclosed that governors were considering adjustments to the national minimum wage, with ₦100,000 among the figures under discussion.
According to AbdulRazaq, the review is being driven by the economic challenges facing workers, including rising inflation and increased living expenses.
He noted that consultations are ongoing between state governments, the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that is fair to workers while remaining sustainable for public finances.
However, the NLC has dismissed the proposed figure as insufficient.
Upah stated that although labour welcomes discussions aimed at improving workers’ welfare, ₦100,000 does not reflect the realities confronting millions of Nigerians.
He pointed to rising fuel prices, increased electricity tariffs, transportation costs, food inflation and declining purchasing power as factors that have worsened the financial burden on workers.
According to him, a realistic minimum wage under current economic conditions should be significantly higher.
The labour leader argued that a monthly wage closer to ₦1 million would better reflect the actual cost of living and help workers cope with prevailing economic challenges.
Upah also maintained that government revenues have improved through allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and other fiscal measures, adding that such gains should translate into better welfare packages for workers.
The disagreement comes amid growing calls for a fresh wage review following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, policies that have contributed to higher costs of transportation, food and other essential services.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of ₦70,000, approved in 2024 after extensive negotiations between labour and government, has faced criticism from labour unions, which argue that inflation has rapidly eroded its value.
The latest development is expected to intensify discussions between organised labour, state governments and the Federal Government as stakeholders continue negotiations over the future of workers’ wages in Nigeria.
