Minimum Wage: Nigerian Labour Insists On ₦500,000 Demand Despite FG’s ₦70,000 Transport Support

Organised labour has reaffirmed its demand for a ₦500,000 minimum wage, saying the proposed amount reflects the growing cost of living and the financial challenges confronting Nigerian workers.

Gbenga Olowoyo, National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), said labour remained open to reasonable negotiations with the Federal Government to reach an acceptable agreement on a new minimum wage.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Olowoyo made the remarks during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, following a six-hour meeting between labour representatives and the Federal Government on workers’ welfare and measures to cushion the impact of rising petrol prices.

He welcomed the government’s agreement to provide workers with ₦70,000 in monthly transport support for six months, beginning in November 2026. The intervention is expected to continue until April 2027.

Olowoyo described the outcome of the meeting as encouraging, noting that the transport assistance would help workers cope with increasing transportation expenses and the broader effects of higher fuel prices on household budgets.

He explained that the support was intended to benefit workers at different levels, including those at the grassroots, while negotiations over a new minimum wage continued.

The labour leader, however, stressed that the temporary transport allowance had not altered organised labour’s ₦500,000 minimum wage proposal. He maintained that the amount was designed to help workers meet essential responsibilities, including feeding their families, paying school fees and covering other basic expenses.

Olowoyo said labour was not rigid about its position and would consider reasonable proposals from the government, provided the final agreement adequately addressed workers’ economic realities.

He also expressed hope that the recent agreement would facilitate further discussions, particularly the establishment of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage, which remains one of labour’s key demands.

According to him, the government’s decision to formalise its agreement with labour demonstrated a commitment to addressing workers’ concerns. He expressed confidence that the promised transport support would be implemented as agreed.

Olowoyo further noted that the negotiations had expanded beyond the JNPSNC and eight unions initially involved, following the participation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which has more than 40 affiliate unions.

He described the outcome of the discussions as a collective victory for Nigerian workers, stressing that the benefits of the agreement could extend beyond the unions directly represented at the initial stage.

With the transport support expected to run from November 2026 through April 2027, Olowoyo said organised labour hoped to conclude negotiations on the proposed minimum wage before the temporary intervention ends.

He added that the coming months would provide both parties with an opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and reach a wage agreement that reflects the economic pressures facing Nigerian workers.