Nigeria’s two largest labor organizations said they will begin negotiations with the federal government over a new national minimum wage, arguing that soaring inflation and rising living costs have significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced their position during the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, where they called for a “genuine living wage” that reflects current economic realities.
The unions also rejected any proposal to tax the minimum wage or impose additional fiscal burdens on low-income workers, saying such measures would worsen poverty and economic hardship.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of 70,000 naira was signed into law in July 2024 following negotiations between organized labor and the federal government. Although the agreement initially provided for reviews every three years, the government later revised the framework to require reviews every two years, making 2026 the next review period.
Labor leaders said they plan to formally request the commencement of negotiations immediately upon returning from the conference to avoid delays that have characterized previous wage review processes.
“The current Act expires early next year, and we have announced that renegotiation will commence by July 2026 to avoid the painful delays of the past,” the unions said in a joint statement.
The labor groups argued that inflation, currency depreciation and rising costs of food, transportation, housing and healthcare have eroded the value of workers’ incomes, leaving many households under severe financial pressure.
“We demand nothing less than a genuine living wage that reflects today’s harsh economic realities,” the unions said. They also called for immediate relief measures from federal and state governments while negotiations are ongoing.
According to the unions, wage discussions should focus on protecting workers’ real incomes rather than merely increasing nominal salary figures.
The labor movement also used the international forum to highlight broader economic and social challenges facing the country, including insecurity, unemployment and rising poverty levels.
The unions said worsening insecurity has affected workers’ ability to travel safely, citing killings, kidnappings and displacement in several parts of the country. They warned that continued violence could disrupt economic activity and force workers to remain at home for safety reasons.
Labor leaders further argued that poverty remains widespread, saying millions of Nigerians continue to struggle despite ongoing economic reforms intended to stabilize the economy.
As preparations begin for the 2027 general elections, the unions said they are developing a charter of demands that will guide their engagement with political parties and candidates.
They said support from organized labor would depend on commitments to improved security, stronger public services, wage reforms and the protection of workers’ rights.
The labor organizations also raised concerns about what they described as interference in union affairs by some state governments. They pledged to resist any attempts to undermine the independence of labor unions or interfere with democratically elected labor leadership structures.
The unions said the outcome of the upcoming wage negotiations will be critical in determining whether Nigerian workers receive what they describe as a living wage or continue to face declining living standards amid economic challenges.
