The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a stern warning to state governments and employers of labour, urging them to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000, along with the necessary consequential salary adjustments, by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
The NLC threatened that failure to comply would result in severe repercussions.
The warning came from the President of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, during the union’s National Leadership Retreat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ibrahim, who also serves as the National Internal Auditor of the NLC, called on both state governments and employers of labour to expedite the full implementation of the wage increase, which has already been signed into law.
“The problem with the government and employers of labour is insincerity. The national minimum wage has been signed into law, and payments should have commenced nationwide.
However, in many universities and states, the wage is treated as just an award without full implementation,” Ibrahim stated.
He underscored the NLC’s ongoing commitment to ensuring compliance and assured that stringent measures would be put in place to enforce the payment of the new wage.
“By the end of this first quarter, any state or employer of labour that refuses to implement the national minimum wage and consequential adjustments will face the consequences. The labour laws are there, and we have all it takes to enforce workers’ rights,” Ibrahim added.
In another development, the SSANU President commented on disturbing reports that some members of the National Assembly allegedly demanded ₦8 million bribes from each university Vice Chancellor during budget defense sessions.
Ibrahim condemned the claims, stressing that if proven true, the matter would be taken up by the labour movement.
“If this allegation turns out to be true, it is unfortunate. No public university in Nigeria has enough resources even to pay its electricity bills. Many have operated without electricity for months. Where will they get ₦8 million to give lawmakers?” Ibrahim questioned.
He further emphasized that the NLC would not hesitate to confront the National Assembly if necessary, and urged the public to support progressive lawmakers.
“The National Assembly is not too big for us to fight. We will fight them and chase out those not working for the good of the people. We will only support progressives,” he declared.
Ibrahim also voiced concerns over the issue of internal sabotage by some union members, which he believes undermines strike actions and weakens their effectiveness.
He noted that certain members, through blackmail and underhand dealings, had worked against the collective struggle of the union.
“Unfortunately, some of our members work against our collective struggle through blackmail and underhand dealings. This is not unique to SSANU; it happens across sectors. This retreat aims to educate members on the importance of unity and discipline,” he lamented.
Despite the challenges, Ibrahim affirmed that the NLC was exploring alternative negotiation strategies, as industrial actions have lost some of their impact due to government indifference and worker fatigue.
He also emphasized the need for continuous training for university staff and better funding for tertiary institutions, stressing that universities must remain centers of learning and innovation.
“Continuous capacity building for staff is essential. As SSANU leaders, we must equip ourselves with global best practices and share this knowledge at all levels,” Ibrahim concluded.
The retreat featured key speakers, including former NLC President Ayuba Wabba, former SSANU President Chief Promise Adeusi, and Dr. Rotimi Mathew, Director-General of the Institute of Mentoring and Coaching.