Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage being considered by state Governors, insisting that the figure is too low to meet the realities of Nigeria’s current economic situation.
Gatekeepers News reports that NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, stated this while reacting to comments by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who revealed that governors were considering a new minimum wage of ₦100,000. The proposal, according to the governors, is aimed at cushioning the impact of inflation and the rising cost of living on workers.
Responding to the suggestion, Upah said: “We consider it thoughtful of the Kwara State governor to propose this, but certainly, ₦100,000 falls far below the realistic figure.”
He argued that worsening economic conditions have significantly reduced workers’ purchasing power, making a much higher wage necessary. According to him, “the realistic figure, subject to status quo maintenance, would be ₦1 million.”
The labour leader cited factors such as the depreciation of the naira, rising inflation, increased electricity tariffs, higher petrol prices and the effects of new tax measures as reasons workers need better remuneration.
Upah also argued that governments now have improved revenues and should be able to pay higher wages. “Check what is being shared at FAAC. The windfall from the Middle East war has put over ₦5tn in the treasury,” he said, adding that the development should make improved worker welfare achievable.
He further stressed the importance of the workforce to national development, saying, “the greatest asset of any nation is its workforce.”
The debate comes amid growing concerns over inflation and the rising cost of living, less than two years after the Federal Government approved a new national minimum wage of ₦70,000 following negotiations with organised labour.
