The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the Federal Government’s position on when negotiations for a new national minimum wage should begin, warning that unresolved workers’ demands could lead to a fresh dispute.
The disagreement centres on the timing of a review of the current ₦70,000 minimum wage. The government maintains that the next review is due in 2027, while the labour union argues that workers need urgent intervention because of the continuing pressure from living costs.
The NLC has called for discussions to begin earlier and has raised concerns about workers’ ability to cope with expenses such as food, transportation, housing and electricity. It has also demanded measures including petrol price reductions and tax relief.
The union’s position reflects wider concerns among Nigerian workers that wage increases have struggled to keep pace with the cost of living. For many employees, a large proportion of monthly earnings goes towards basic necessities, leaving little money for savings, emergencies and other family responsibilities.
The Federal Government, however, has maintained that the existing minimum wage law provides for a review every three years. The current ₦70,000 minimum wage was signed into law in July 2024.
Although the NLC has warned of a possible industrial dispute, a new nationwide strike has not been confirmed in the reports cited.
The disagreement could become a major issue in relations between the government and organised labour if both sides fail to reach an understanding. Workers will be watching for concrete steps to address their demands, while businesses and public institutions will be concerned about the possibility of disruptions.
