Nigeria’s ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Under Pressure as Living Costs Rise
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an immediate review of the national minimum wage, arguing that rising living costs have significantly weakened the purchasing power of workers earning ₦70,000 monthly. The demand comes amid a disagreement with the Federal Government over when negotiations for a new wage should begin, with the government maintaining that the current arrangement is due for review in June 2027.
In a letter to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Dingyadi, NLC President Joe Ajaero argued that preparations for a new wage agreement should begin before the existing arrangement expires. The union maintains that starting negotiations early would allow sufficient time for consultations and prevent unnecessary delays, stressing that initiating discussions does not amount to immediately implementing a new minimum wage.
At the centre of the dispute is the growing pressure on workers to meet basic household expenses. Higher food prices, transportation costs, housing expenses and healthcare bills have reduced the value of monthly earnings, raising questions about whether the current minimum wage can adequately support workers. The NLC also questioned the effectiveness of government interventions, including the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas initiative, arguing that infrastructure gaps have limited the benefits available to many Nigerians.
Beyond wage negotiations, the congress has called for the implementation of previously agreed tax relief measures, immediate wage awards and a reduction in petrol prices to the levels prevailing when the current minimum wage became law in July 2024. It also demanded action on outstanding agreements affecting public-sector and health workers. Although the government has expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, the NLC insists that concrete action is necessary to address the rising cost of living and protect workers’ welfare.
