Minimum wage talks stall as NLC rejects ₦100,000 offer

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the ₦100,000 minimum wage proposal being considered by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

The NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah,  in a recent interview on Sunday, insisted that a realistic living wage should be as high as ₦1 million under current economic conditions.

He responded after the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said governors were considering setting a new national minimum wage of ₦100,000.

AbdulRazaq shared this information while visiting President Bola Tinubu in Lagos for Sallah, revealing that governors were already talking with the Federal Government and labour unions to agree on a wage structure that supports workers’ welfare and keeps government finances stable.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, the governor explained that the proposal was a response to rising inflation, higher living costs, and the growing financial pressure on Nigerian workers.

Reacting, Upah said it was commendable that governors were considering a wage review.

He, however, said ₦100,000 was far below what Nigerian workers needed to survive.

“We consider it thoughtful of the Kwara State Governor for proposing this, but certainly, N100,000 falls far below or behind the realistic figure,” he said.

‘Realistic Wage Should be ₦1m’

The NLC spokesman said the depreciation of the naira, inflation, higher electricity tariffs, rising petrol prices, and declining purchasing power had made a much higher wage necessary.

“Given the realities around the exchange rate, inflation, raised tariffs, surge in the pump price of petrol and associated costs, decline in the purchasing power of the average worker, effects of the new regime of taxes on our cost of living, the realistic figure, subject to status quo maintenance, would be ₦1m,” he stated.

Upah argued that government revenues had improved significantly and should support better pay for workers.

He further stated, “In light of the earnings by governments, this should not be a big issue.

“Check what is being shared at FAAC. The windfall from the Middle East war has put over N5tn in the treasury. Though this is temporary, it is nonetheless very good for governments.”

He added that workers remained the greatest asset of any country and should be adequately compensated.

“Finally, please note that the greatest asset of any nation is its workforce,” he said.

The debate over wages has intensified amid worsening economic conditions following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by the Federal Government.

In July 2024, the Federal Government approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 after prolonged negotiations with organised labour.

The ₦70,000 benchmark replaced the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage signed into law in 2019.

Labour leaders have, however, repeatedly argued that the current wage remains inadequate because of persistent inflation and the rising cost of living.