The Nigeria Labour Congress has announced plans to commence negotiations for a new national minimum wage by July 2026, while also demanding that workers across the country receive 100 per cent of their basic salaries pending the conclusion of the process.
The demand was part of a joint May Day address delivered at Eagle Square, Abuja, by NLC President Joe Ajaero and President of the Trade Union Congress, Festus Osifo.
Addressing thousands of workers during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration, the labour leaders said the planned wage review had become necessary due to worsening economic conditions, including rising inflation, insecurity, and declining purchasing power.
They noted that the current minimum wage, set at ₦70,000 and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in July 2024, would expire early next year, stressing the need to begin renegotiations early to avoid delays experienced in the past.
“As part of this resolve, we announce that the process for renegotiating the National Minimum Wage, which expires early next year, will commence by July 2026,” the labour leaders said.
In the interim, the unions called for full payment of workers’ basic salaries from July 2026 until a new wage structure is finalised, describing the move as necessary to cushion the impact of what they termed a deepening “crisis of survival” among Nigerian workers.
The labour centres painted a grim picture of the nation’s economic reality, arguing that official indicators do not reflect the hardship faced by citizens.
They cited rising poverty levels, inflation, unemployment, and insecurity as major challenges confronting workers.
According to the unions, while economic growth figures suggest modest improvement, the benefits have not translated into better living conditions for the majority of Nigerians, with poverty rates continuing to climb.
They also criticised what they described as excessive taxation on low-income earners, urging the government to introduce tax relief measures.
“Stop taxing the minimum wage. Stop taxing the poor,” they said.
The unions further warned that worsening insecurity across the country is affecting productivity and endangering workers’ lives, noting that some members may be advised to limit movement if the situation deteriorates.
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“Nigerian workers may no longer continue going to work with this level of insecurity,” they warned.
Additionally, the labour bodies accused some state governments of failing to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, despite improved revenues, leading to protests by workers in certain states during the May Day celebrations.
Beyond wage-related concerns, the unions raised issues about governance, including what they described as declining institutional independence, challenges in the power sector, rising fuel costs, and the weakening state of public research institutions.
They also announced the launch of a nationwide anti-corruption campaign tagged “Stop the Bleeding,” aimed at drawing attention to alleged misuse of public funds and illicit financial flows.
Despite the challenges, the labour leaders reaffirmed their commitment to engaging with the government and employers to protect workers’ rights and improve welfare across all sectors of the economy.