Organised labour has announced that the renegotiation process for the National Minimum Wage, which is set to expire early next year, will begin in July 2026, in a bid to avoid the delays experienced in previous cycles.
At the same time, the Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the state government to increase the minimum wage from ₦85,000 to ₦225,000, saying workers are under severe financial pressure due to rising living costs.
In a joint address during the Workers’ Day celebration, leaders of the NLC under Joe Ajaero and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) under Festus Osifo also demanded that all workers should receive 100 percent of their basic salary starting from July this year until a new national minimum wage is passed into law. They said this would help ease the ongoing economic hardship affecting workers across the country.
The labour leaders stressed the need for unity among workers in pushing for a living wage that reflects current economic realities, noting that Nigeria is facing serious social and economic challenges ahead of the pre-election period.
They also expressed concern over the country’s rising debt profile, estimated at about ₦200 trillion, urging a shift in economic priorities towards job creation, productive investment, and inclusive growth. According to them, an economy that benefits only a small fraction of the population while neglecting the majority is unsustainable and could worsen inequality and instability.
In Lagos, the demand for a new wage structure was made by NLC chairperson Funmi Sessi during the 2026 International Workers’ Day event held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena. Labour leaders argued that the current ₦85,000 minimum wage, approved in October 2024 and implemented in November under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been eroded by inflation and no longer meets workers’ basic needs.
They noted that inflation, estimated at about 15.38 percent, has significantly reduced the purchasing power of workers, making it difficult for many to afford essentials such as food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and education. As a result, they insisted that a new wage review is urgently needed to restore workers’ welfare and maintain industrial stability.
