Labour Congress Pushes for N1 Million Monthly Minimum Wage

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the N100,000 monthly minimum wage proposal being considered by state governors, insisting that Nigerian workers deserve at least N1 million under current economic realities.

Speaking on Sunday, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah described the governors’ proposed figure as grossly inadequate, pointing to the continued fall of the naira, soaring inflation, higher electricity tariffs, increased fuel prices, and a sharp decline in workers’ purchasing power. He also cited the impact of recent tax adjustments on living costs.

Upah was responding to comments by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. The governor had said state governments were leaning toward an N100,000 national minimum wage to reflect rising inflation and the growing financial burden on citizens.

While acknowledging the governor’s gesture as thoughtful, Upah argued that a realistic wage must match the current economic distress. “Given the realities around exchange rates, inflation, raised tariffs, the surge in petrol prices, and the effects of the new tax regime, the realistic figure would be N1 million,” he stated.

He further noted that government revenues have improved significantly, citing over N5 trillion in windfall from Middle East-related market shifts shared at FAAC meetings. “In light of earnings by governments, this should not be a big issue,” Upah added, stressing that the workforce remains the nation’s most valuable asset and must be properly compensated.

The call comes amid worsening living conditions following the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira. In July 2024, the Federal Government had approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 after lengthy talks with labour unions, but unions have consistently argued that inflation has since eroded that value.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has yet to formally submit any new wage proposal to the federal government or organised labour.