The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an immediate review of workers’ wages, saying inflation and rising living costs have made current earnings inadequate.
In a New Year message, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the union will prioritize securing a “living wage” in 2026. He stressed that workers’ pay should allow for life, not just survival.
The demand comes less than two years after the federal government increased the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 in July 2024. Labor leaders argue that inflation and rising costs of fuel and food have already eroded these gains.
Ajaero said the NLC will engage the government constructively but warned that it is ready to use all legitimate means to protect workers’ interests. “Our mobilization in 2026 will be both strategic and tactful for the benefit of the Nigerian nation,” he added.
The NLC also highlighted security challenges, urging the government to maintain focus on protecting lives and property. Ajaero noted that safety is essential for economic productivity.
Earlier this week, the NLC released a report titled “Why Nigerian Workers Became Poorer in 2025,” showing how subsidy removals and inflation pushed millions closer to poverty despite recent pay increases.
As the new year begins, the NLC called on workers to remain vigilant and patriotic, signaling that 2026 will be a year of strong advocacy for fair wages and social justice.
