The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have hinted that negotiations with the Federal Government have commenced to review the current minimum wage upward, so that Nigerian workers would receive a realistic wage package before the current wage framework expires.
The current national minimum wage of ₦70,000 was approved in July 2024 following extensive negotiations between organized labor and the Federal Government.
The agreement also provided for periodic reviews to ensure wages keep pace with economic conditions.
The demand for a realistic wage aims to cushion the effects of inflation and economic hardship, which continues to bite harder across Nigeria, the organized labor insisting that workers deserve a genuine living wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) say the negotiations are aimed at ensuring Nigerian workers receive a more realistic wage package before the current wage framework expires.
Labor leaders announced the development during the 114th International Labor Conference held on 17 June 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, where they expressed concern over the worsening economic situation facing Nigerian workers.
Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, maintained that the current minimum wage structure can no longer adequately meet workers’ needs due to rising prices of food, transportation, housing and healthcare.
According to the labour leaders, discussions with the Federal Government are expected to commence before July 2026 to avoid the delays that characterized previous wage negotiations.
Speaking on behalf of organised labour, the union leaders stated that “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 stressed that the review should not merely focus on increasing figures on paper but should guarantee workers a wage that reflects prevailing economic realities.
“We are demanding a genuine living wage,” the labour leaders said, noting that inflation has significantly eroded the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.
They added that labour would formally write to the Federal Government demanding the immediate commencement of the renegotiation process.
Labour leaders warned that any attempt to impose additional tax burdens on minimum wage earners would be resisted, insisting that workers are already grappling with severe economic challenges.
The Federal Government is yet to formally announce the composition of a new negotiating committee, but labour unions have expressed optimism that discussions will begin in earnest in the coming weeks.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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