The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected the proposed N100,000 national minimum wage reportedly being considered by state governors, insisting that Nigerian workers now require as much as N1 million monthly to survive the country’s worsening economic conditions.
The NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, made the position known on Sunday while reacting to comments by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who had disclosed that governors were reviewing a possible new wage structure around N100,000.
AbdulRazaq, in a Facebook post, said the proposal was driven by rising inflation, increasing cost of living, and mounting pressure on workers’ incomes. He noted that state governments were engaging both the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage framework that balances worker welfare with fiscal sustainability.
However, Upah argued that while the willingness to adjust wages is welcome, the N100,000 figure remains far below what is needed to meet basic living standards in Nigeria. He pointed to persistent inflation, currency depreciation, high electricity tariffs, rising fuel prices, and reduced purchasing power as key factors justifying a significantly higher minimum wage.
He also maintained that government revenues had improved and should support better remuneration for workers, stressing that fair pay is essential for productivity and economic stability.
The debate comes amid continued economic pressure following subsidy removal and exchange rate reforms by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which have contributed to higher transport, food, and energy costs across the country.
Nigeria’s current minimum wage of N70,000, approved in July 2024 after prolonged negotiations, has already been widely criticized by labour unions as insufficient due to inflationary pressures.
The ICIR, an investigative media platform, noted that labour leaders argue the real value of wages has been significantly eroded, prompting renewed calls for urgent review.
