The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage being considered by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, insisting that the realistic living wage for Nigerian workers under the current economic conditions should be as high as ₦1 million.
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NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, stated this in an interview on Sunday while reacting to comments by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who disclosed that governors were considering a new minimum wage of ₦100,000.
AbdulRazaq had said governors were engaging the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that would balance workers’ welfare with the financial capacity of states.
He explained that the proposal was informed by inflation, rising cost of living and the increasing financial burden on Nigerian workers.
Reacting, Upah said the consideration of a wage review by the governors was commendable, but stressed that ₦100,000 was far below what workers needed to survive under present economic realities.
“We consider it thoughtful of the Kwara State Governor for proposing this, but certainly, ₦100,000 falls far below or behind the realistic figure,” he said.
The NLC spokesperson cited the continued depreciation of the naira, rising inflation, increased electricity tariffs, higher fuel prices, declining purchasing power and the impact of new taxes as factors that made a much higher wage necessary.
“Given the realities around the exchange rate, inflation, raised tariffs, surge in the pump price of petrol and associated costs, decline in the purchasing power of the average worker, effects of the new regime of taxes on our cost of living, the realistic figure, subject to status quo maintenance, would be ₦1m,” Upah stated.
He argued that government revenues had improved significantly and should support better remuneration for workers.
“In light of the earnings by governments, this should not be a big issue.
“Check what is being shared at FAAC. The windfall from the Middle East war has put over ₦5tn in the treasury. Though this is temporary, it is nonetheless very good for governments,” he added.
Upah said the workforce remains the greatest asset of any nation and should be adequately compensated to boost productivity and support economic growth.
“Finally, please note that the greatest asset of any nation is its workforce,” he said.
The wage debate has intensified amid worsening economic hardship following the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira by the Federal Government.
In July 2024, the Federal Government approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 after prolonged negotiations with organised labour.
The ₦70,000 wage replaced the previous ₦30,000 minimum wage signed into law in 2019.
However, labour leaders have repeatedly argued that the current wage is no longer sufficient due to persistent inflation, rising food prices, higher transportation costs and the general cost of living.
Many workers have also complained that their earnings can no longer meet basic household needs despite the wage increase.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has yet to formally present any new minimum wage proposal to the Federal Government or organised labour.
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