Fresh minimum wage talks to begin soon – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress has signalled that fresh negotiations with the Federal Government on the national minimum wage review could commence “any moment soon,” raising expectations of another round of talks to address the impact of rising inflation on workers’ earnings.

The indication comes barely two years after the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage and amid renewed calls for another wage review as worsening economic conditions continue to erode workers’ purchasing power.

Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, the spokesperson for the NLC, Benson Upah, said although no formal engagement had begun, organised labour expected discussions to commence soon.

“No formal engagement yet to the best of my knowledge, but any moment soon,” Upah said, when asked if the Federal Government had initiated talks with labour on a fresh minimum wage.

Upah’s comments come days after the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, said the time had come for the country to begin another conversation on workers’ wages, warning that persistent inflation had significantly eroded the value of the current minimum wage.

According to Gbajabiamila, while the N70,000 minimum wage represented an important milestone when it was introduced, the country’s economic realities had changed rapidly, making it necessary to reassess workers’ remuneration.

He argued that improving workers’ welfare should extend beyond salary increases to include affordable housing, healthcare, transportation, education and other social protection measures capable of reducing the financial burden on workers.

His remarks have reignited debates over whether the current wage can still meet workers’ basic needs as food inflation, transportation costs, electricity tariffs and other household expenses continue to rise.

The last wage review in 2024 followed months of tense negotiations involving the Federal Government, the NLC, the Trade Union Congress and representatives of the organised private sector.

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The negotiations were among the most difficult in recent years, characterised by nationwide protests, strike ultimatums, marathon sessions and repeated deadlocks over what should constitute a living wage.

Organised labour initially demanded about ₦615,000 as the new national minimum wage, insisting that the removal of petrol subsidy, the floating of the naira and unprecedented inflation had rendered the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage practically worthless.

The Federal Government and employers, however, argued that such a figure would be unsustainable for both the public and private sectors, leading to several revised offers before a compromise was eventually reached.

Following the direct intervention of President Bola Tinubu, the parties settled for a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, ending months of uncertainty and averting a nationwide indefinite strike.

Even after accepting the agreement, labour leaders warned that the new wage could quickly lose its value if inflation remained unchecked.

That prediction has largely materialised.

Since the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage, the country has continued to witness sharp increases in the prices of food, transportation, rent, electricity and other essential goods and services, significantly weakening workers’ purchasing power.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, has repeatedly maintained that Nigerian workers deserve a living wage that reflects prevailing economic realities rather than one overtaken by inflation within months of implementation.