The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed a proposed N100,000 national minimum wage being considered by state governors, warning that such a figure is far below what Nigerian workers need to survive amid worsening economic conditions.
The development has raised fears of renewed labour unrest, with the union insisting that a realistic living wage should be around N1 million.
NLC spokesperson Benson Upah stated the union's position while reacting to comments by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who recently disclosed that governors were weighing the possibility of a new minimum wage of N100,000.
AbdulRazaq had said the governors were consulting with the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure that balances workers' welfare with the financial realities facing governments.
He noted that the proposal was driven by rising inflation, escalating living costs and the increasing economic burden on Nigerian workers.
However, the NLC said the amount being proposed does not reflect the severe economic challenges confronting workers.
While commending the governors for initiating discussions on wage review, Upah maintained that N100,000 would do little to cushion the effects of inflation and the rising cost of living.
"We appreciate the concern shown by the governors, but N100,000 is nowhere near a realistic living wage under current circumstances," he said.
The labour leader pointed to the continued depreciation of the naira, soaring food prices, increases in electricity tariffs, higher fuel costs and shrinking purchasing power as reasons workers deserve significantly higher pay.
According to him, maintaining the current economic conditions would require a minimum wage of about N1 million to guarantee a reasonable standard of living for workers.
Upah also argued that improved government revenues should make better wages achievable.
He cited increased allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) and recent revenue gains linked to developments in the global oil market as evidence that governments have greater fiscal capacity.
"In view of what governments are currently receiving, paying workers better wages should not be an impossible task," he said.
He further stressed that workers remain central to national development and must be adequately compensated if the country hopes to achieve sustainable economic growth.
The disagreement comes amid growing concerns over the impact of economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the naira, both of which have contributed to higher living costs.
Although the Federal Government approved a new minimum wage of N70,000 in July 2024 after prolonged negotiations with organised labour, labour leaders have continued to argue that the figure has been overtaken by inflation.
With the Nigeria Governors' Forum yet to formally submit any proposal to organised labour or the Federal Government, the NLC's rejection of the N100,000 figure has set the stage for another round of wage negotiations that could test relations between labour unions and government authorities.
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