The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for urgent negotiations on a new minimum wage, declaring that the current ₦70,000 benchmark has been overtaken by inflation and rising living costs.
Speaking at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit 2026 in Birnin Kebbi, Deputy President of the NLC, Adewale Adeyanju (Amba), said workers are struggling to meet basic needs under the existing wage structure.
“The current ₦70,000 minimum wage can no longer adequately respond to the realities confronting Nigerian workers,” he noted.
The summit, themed “The Rights of Workers: Decent Work and a Just Economy in Nigeria,” brought together labour leaders, government officials, employers, civil society groups, and representatives of the National Industrial Court.
Discussions focused on wage adequacy, workplace safety, discrimination, job insecurity, and protection for casual workers.
Former NLC President Ayuba Wabba stressed that decent work goes beyond salary increases, highlighting the importance of workers’ rights, social protection, and meaningful dialogue between labour, employers,
