'Don't test us, minimum wage is constitutional matter,’ Labour cautions governors over N100,000 proposal

June 3, 2026

File: A screengrab from the event, where Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (left) revealed that talks were on for a new national minimum wage of N100,000. President Tinubu is left of your screen.

By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The proposed N100,000 minimum wage reportedly put forward by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has sparked widespread criticism from organised labour, with workers’ representatives describing the move as an illegal and insensitive attempt to determine workers’ welfare outside the provisions of the law.

The National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, JNPSNC, Trade Union Side, Olowoyo Gbenga, condemned the proposal. He insisted that the determination of a national minimum wage is strictly a constitutional and legislative matter that cannot be fixed by any group of governors.