The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to restart negotiations with the Federal Government over a new national minimum wage, citing rising inflation and worsening economic conditions that have eroded workers’ purchasing power.
The unions, in a joint address at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, described the current wage structure as inadequate and called for the introduction of a “genuine living wage” that reflects Nigeria’s present economic realities.
They rejected any proposal to tax the minimum wage or impose additional financial burdens on low-income earners, warning that such measures would deepen poverty and worsen living conditions for workers already struggling with rising costs of living.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of N70,000, signed into law in July 2024, is due for review under a revised two-year wage cycle introduced by the Federal Government in January 2025, making 2026 the next scheduled negotiation period.
Labour leaders said they plan to formally open discussions with the government ahead of the July 2026 deadline to avoid delays that have historically slowed wage adjustments in the country.
They argued that inflation, currency depreciation, and rising costs of essential services have significantly reduced real incomes, insisting that urgent action is needed to protect workers from further economic hardship.
The unions also warned that failure to reach a fair agreement could heighten industrial tensions nationwide, as they push for a wage system that prioritises real income protection and improved living standards.
