Nigerian Workers Seek Economic Relief: Labour Advocates Higher Minimum Wage

Organized labour has argued that the government should no longer wait three to five years before adjusting the minimum wage for Nigerian workers. Instead, they are calling for an annual review of the minimum wage to align with inflation.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Festus Osifo, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), made this statement on Wednesday, stressing that workers’ pay must reflect the rising cost of living. He proposed that the current minimum wage of ₦70,000 be adjusted annually, factoring in the country’s inflation rate.

Osifo explained that the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are already in discussions to make this a reality. He criticized the current system, which allows for wage adjustments every three to five years, and suggested that adjustments be made based on the inflation rate each year.

For example, he said, if the inflation rate for December 2024 is 35%, the minimum wage should automatically increase by that percentage in 2025. He further emphasized that the system should apply the most recent inflation data to ensure that workers’ wages reflect their true value.

The TUC president noted that although the law currently requires wage adjustments every three years, labour leaders are advocating for a more frequent, systematic approach. This is a key issue that the labour unions will continue to push for in 2025, after initiating discussions in 2024.