NLC Demands Minimum Wage Review, Says ₦70,000 No Longer Sustainable

NLC Demands Minimum Wage Review, Says ₦70,000 No Longer Sustainable

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has renewed its call for the Federal Government to urgently review the national minimum wage, stressing that the current ₦70,000 benchmark is no longer realistic given the rising cost of living across the country.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the union argued that spiraling inflation, soaring food prices, and skyrocketing transportation costs have eroded the value of workers’ earnings, leaving millions of Nigerian families struggling to survive.

“The ₦70,000 minimum wage, which was initially negotiated to provide a living income, has already been overtaken by economic realities,” the NLC said. “Prices of essential goods and services keep increasing daily, while workers are left with salaries that cannot meet basic needs.”

The union urged the Federal Government to convene an emergency tripartite meeting involving labour, employers, and government representatives to set a more realistic and sustainable wage structure.

The NLC also warned that failure to act swiftly could heighten worker agitation and possibly lead to nationwide protests, as Nigerians continue to grapple with unprecedented economic hardship.