Nigeria’s largest labour union is preparing to reopen minimum wage negotiations with the federal government, barely two years after President Bola Tinubu approved a 133% increase, as workers struggle with high food, transport and housing costs.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says the current ₦70,000 minimum wage, worth about $51, is no longer enough to cover basic household expenses and is pushing for an increase to at least ₦500,000, or roughly $365.
Speaking at the Rights of Workers Summit in Birnin Kebbi, northern Nigeria, on Thursday, NLC President Joe Ajaero, represented by Deputy President Audu Titus Amba, said workers should prepare for fresh negotiations.
“Anything less than ₦500,000 cannot cater for workers. The current minimum wage is due for review, and we will soon begin negotiations with the government,” he said.
The demand would represent an increase of more than 600% from the existing wage and would place Nigeria’s statutory minimum closer to wage floors in some of Africa’s more developed economies.
