By Izielen Agbon
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has proposed an upward review of the national minimum wage to ₦100,000 per month without talking to workers. The Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) rejected the ₦100,000 proposal. The labour leaders argued that minimum wage determination negotiation is a strict tripartite, constitutional process involving government, labor, and the private sector.
They pointed out that severe inflation, currency depreciation, high unemployment, and soaring living costs have reduced the purchasing power of workers and forced 63% of the Nigerian population into multi-dimensional poverty. Some workers have called for a minimum monthly wage of at least ₦300,000, while others have called for ₦500,000. Political parties, such as the African Action Congress (AAC) has also called for a minimum monthly wage of ₦500,000.
The NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajero, stated, “Given the realities of our environment, there are two key directions we may consider. One is linking wages to inflation, allowing for automatic adjustments based on rising prices. If inflation increases, wages should adjust accordingly to preserve purchasing power. The alternative, an approach we previously advocated, is to anchor wages to the cost-of-living index.
This means examining real conditions on the ground: transportation costs, food prices, rent, and other basic needs.” Linking wages to inflation and allowing for automatic adjustments based on rising prices is probably the better option. See https://www.nationalrecord.com.ng/a-formula-for-the-determination-of-the-national-minimum-wage-by-izielen-agbon/ for a possible formula for minimum wages
On October 9, 2026, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) gave the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce petrol prices and start renegotiation on the national monthly minimum wage.
The NLC demanded that “government is expected to take measures to reduce the price of petrol across the nation and commence the process of renegotiating a new national minimum wage, failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant organs”.
Workers produce the wealth of the nation. Therefore, the national minimum wage must automatically compensate for changes in the exchange rates, inflation, cost of living, GDP growth rate and poverty levels and the standard of living of the worker’s household. The NLC and labour leaders must now mobilize the working class nationwide and fight for a living national minimum wage.