Photo of Joe Ajaero, Nigeria Labour Congress President
Labour leaders have called for a fresh review of the national minimum wage, saying the current N70,000 wage has been overtaken by economic realities and can no longer adequately meet the needs of the workers.
The labour leaders made the call on Friday at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit 2026, held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, to commemorate 88 years of workers’ organisation and trade unionism in the country.
The summit, themed “The Rights of Workers: Decent Work and a Just Economy in Nigeria,” brought together labour leaders, government officials, workers, employers, civil society organisations and representatives of the National Industrial Court to examine the state of workers’ rights and welfare in Nigeria.
Discussions at the event focused on workers’ remuneration across the 36 states, local governments and the private sector, as participants raised concerns over inflation, rising living costs, workplace safety, discrimination, job insecurity and the protection of casual and other non-traditional workers.
