The Nigeria Labour Congress has argued that a proposed minimum wage of N100,000 is inadequate to meet the needs of Nigerian workers, insisting that current economic realities justify a monthly wage of up to N1 million.
NLC spokesperson Benson Upah stated this while reacting to remarks by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who disclosed that governors were considering a new national minimum wage of N100,000.
While commending the move to review workers’ pay, Upah said the amount being discussed falls short of what workers require to cope with the rising cost of living.
According to him, persistent inflation, the depreciation of the naira, higher electricity tariffs, rising fuel prices and increased transportation costs have significantly reduced the purchasing power of workers across the country.
He maintained that, given the prevailing economic conditions, a minimum wage of N1 million would more accurately reflect the realities faced by Nigerian workers.
The labour leader also argued that government revenues have improved in recent years and should make it easier for authorities to prioritise workers’ welfare. He pointed to increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee and other revenue sources as evidence that governments have greater financial capacity.
Upah further stressed that the workforce remains the most valuable asset of any nation and should be adequately compensated to enhance productivity and economic growth.
The debate over a new minimum wage comes amid growing concerns about the impact of economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, which have contributed to higher living costs nationwide.
Although the Federal Government approved a N70,000 minimum wage in 2024, labour unions have continued to argue that inflation has eroded its value, making another review necessary.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has yet to formally present any proposal on a new minimum wage framework to the Federal Government or organised labour.
