NLC Demands Minimum Wage Review, Says N250,000 is Best Not N70,000, Gives Reason
- Nigeria’s labour unions have intensified calls for a fresh review of the national minimum wage, citing economic hardship and inflation
- Several state governments have already raised their wage thresholds above the ₦70,000 benchmark, sparking nationwide debate
- Union leaders warn that without swift federal action, workers may resort to industrial action to demand a living wage
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and federal government workers have called for an immediate review of the national minimum wage, arguing that the current ₦70,000 benchmark is no longer tenable amid worsening economic conditions.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), union representatives and workers expressed deep concern over the impact of inflation and rising living costs on their livelihoods.
Source: Facebook
They insisted that the ₦70,000 minimum wage, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024, had been severely eroded by economic pressures.
“The truth is that ₦70,000 is not sustainable under the present economic situation. Workers are under immense pressure, and unless the government responds quickly, the crisis of survival will only worsen,” said Mr Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of the NLC.
Upah noted that the union had engaged the Federal Government on multiple occasions, urging swift action to address the growing hardship. He warned that while labour remained committed to dialogue, industrial action could be considered if negotiations failed.
He also encouraged workers to remain united and active in union activities to strengthen their collective voice.
State Lead with Higher Minimum Wage Increases
The demand for a wage review follows a wave of upward adjustments by several state governments, who have responded to economic realities with bold revisions to their salary structures.
On August 27, 2025, Imo State raised its minimum wage to ₦104,000, a significant leap from the national benchmark. Governor Hope Uzodinma stated that the decision, reached in consultation with organised labour, was aimed at improving the welfare of civil servants.
Prior to Imo’s announcement, other states had already taken similar steps. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared a new minimum wage of ₦85,000 on October 16, 2024, with a pledge to increase it further to ₦100,000 in 2025. Rivers State followed suit two days later, also approving ₦85,000.
Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, and Akwa Ibom states have implemented ₦80,000 minimum wages, while Ogun and Delta opted for ₦77,000. Benue and Osun raised theirs to ₦75,000, and Ondo State set its wage at ₦73,000.
Labour Leaders Urge Federal Government to Act
Mr Shehu Mohammed, President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), praised the state governors for their proactive stance, describing the moves as “a welcome development and an eye-opener.”
He emphasised that the actions taken by sub-national governments should serve as a signal to the Federal Government. “Right from the beginning, during the negotiation, our demand was for a living wage, and we submitted ₦250,000 as a reasonable benchmark,” Mohammed said.
The amended National Minimum Wage Act, signed in 2024, applies to all tiers of government and the private sector. However, with inflation continuing to rise and essential services becoming increasingly unaffordable, labour unions argue that a new review is not only necessary but urgent.
Source: Facebook
NUPENG declares strike against Dangote
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has announced that its members will begin a nationwide strike from Monday, September 8, 2025. The action is a protest against what NUPENG describes as anti-union labour practices linked to the deployment of the CNG trucks by the Dangote Refinery.
Source: Legit.ng
