Labour leaders are calling for a review of workers’ wages, saying the rising cost of living has made the current minimum wage increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to live on.
The call was made Friday at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit 2026 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
The summit brought together labour leaders, government officials, employers, workers and civil society groups to discuss workers’ welfare and rights.
Speaking on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, NLC Deputy President Adewale Adeyanju said the current 70-thousand-naira minimum wage no longer reflects the economic realities facing workers.
Adeyanju said the existing wage arrangement has expired and called for fresh negotiations with the federal and state governments.
He said, “This current minimum wage can no longer adequately respond to the realities confronting Nigerian workers, particularly with the rising cost of living.”
Former NLC President Ayuba Wabba said decent work goes beyond salary increases, stressing the need for job security, social protection and stronger protection of workers’ rights.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris assured workers that the state would implement any new minimum wage agreement reached at the national level.
Participants also raised concerns about workplace safety, casual employment, discrimination and weak enforcement of labour laws.
They said the 88th anniversary of legally recognised trade unionism should be used to renew efforts to improve workers’ living conditions and ensure that collective bargaining delivers better welfare.
Comments
Add a comment