The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to resume negotiations with the Federal Government for a new national minimum wage, emphasizing that Nigerian workers can no longer withstand the mounting cost of living amid persistent inflation.
The unions are advocating for what they call a genuine living wage a framework they argue should replace the current minimum wage, which they say is out of touch with today’s economic realities, especially given sharp increases in food, transportation, housing, and healthcare expenses.
This position was outlined in a joint address at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, where the unions also firmly rejected any proposals to tax the minimum wage or introduce further fiscal burdens on low-income earners.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of N70,000, signed into law on July 18, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, was originally to be reviewed every three years. However, a government decision in January 2025 shortened this review period to two years, setting July 2026 as the next negotiation deadline.
Labour leaders have stated their intention to formally begin discussions with the government well before this deadline, aiming to avoid the delays that have plagued previous wage reviews. “The current Act expires early next year, and renegotiation will commence by July 2026 to prevent the painful delays of the past. Once we return from Geneva, we will write to the government to demand the immediate start of the renegotiation process, the unions declared.
Highlighting the severe pressures faced by workers—stemming from inflation, currency depreciation, and rising costs of essential services—the unions argued that official economic statistics fail to capture the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians. They warned that taxing the minimum wage would only deepen poverty and worsen living conditions for millions already struggling to meet basic needs.
We demand nothing less than a genuine living wage that reflects today’s harsh economic realities. We also call for immediate relief measures at all levels of government until a new minimum wage is enacted. We categorically reject any attempt to tax the minimum wage or further burden the poor, the unions said.
The unions insisted that the upcoming negotiations must go beyond mere nominal wage increases and instead focus on safeguarding real incomes, which have been steadily eroded by inflation. They also called on federal and state governments to implement interim relief measures, warning that further delays could trigger widespread industrial unrest.
During their address in Geneva, labour leaders used the platform to draw attention to broader socio-economic challenges, including rising insecurity, unemployment, and poverty. They noted that worsening insecurity in many regions has made commuting dangerous for workers, with killings, abductions, and displacement undermining productivity and livelihoods. According to union data, nearly 2,000 people were killed in the first quarter of the year, with millions displaced and entire communities disrupted by violence. They cautioned that unchecked insecurity could force workers to stay home for safety, potentially escalating unrest beyond traditional labour actions.
The unions also highlighted that approximately 65 percent of Nigerians—around 150 million people—are living in multidimensional poverty, a crisis exacerbated by inflation, job losses, and declining purchasing power. While acknowledging that government macroeconomic reforms are intended to stabilize the economy, they argued that these measures have yet to deliver tangible improvements for the average citizen.
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, the unions said they are crafting a charter of demands to guide their engagement with political actors. Only those who commit to enhanced security, robust public services, comprehensive wage reform, and the protection of labour rights, they stressed, will earn the unions’ support.
Additionally, the labour movement raised concerns about alleged interference in union affairs by some state governments, warning against any attempts to undermine democratically elected labour leaders or impose external control over unions.
With the 2026 minimum wage review window approaching, the unions reaffirmed their commitment to securing a wage structure that truly reflects economic realities and shields workers from further income erosion. They concluded that the outcome of the upcoming negotiations will determine whether Nigerian workers finally receive a living wage or continue to endure worsening economic hardship.
