NLC Rejects Proposed ₦100,000 Minimum Wage, Says ₦1 Million More Realistic

The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage being considered by state governors, describing the figure as inadequate given Nigeria’s current economic realities.

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 said governors were considering a new minimum wage of ₦100,000 to cushion the effects of inflation and rising living costs on workers. According to Upah, the proposed figure falls significantly short of what workers need to cope with prevailing economic conditions.

“We consider it thoughtful of the Kwara State governor to propose this, but certainly, ₦100,000 falls far below the realistic figure,” he said.

The labour leader argued that worsening economic conditions, including inflation, naira depreciation, increased electricity tariffs, higher fuel prices, and tax-related pressures, have severely weakened workers’ purchasing power.

Upah further stated that, based on current economic realities, a more realistic wage benchmark would be around ₦1 million, though he did not indicate that the figure was an official NLC demand. He also maintained that government revenues have improved and should support better worker welfare.

“Check what is being shared at FAAC. The windfall from the Middle East war has put over ₦5tn in the treasury,” he said.

According to him, the workforce remains the most valuable asset of any nation and deserves adequate compensation. 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.