The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has dismissed the proposed N100,000 minimum wage being considered by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), describing it as inadequate under prevailing economic conditions.
NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, stated that while the governors’ willingness to review wages was a positive step, the proposed figure falls significantly short of what Nigerian workers require to cope with current realities.
His comments followed remarks by NGF Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who disclosed that state governments were considering a N100,000 benchmark as part of ongoing consultations with the Federal Government and organised labour.
According to Upah, factors such as inflation, naira depreciation, rising fuel prices, increased electricity tariffs and new tax measures have eroded workers’ purchasing power, making a substantially higher wage necessary.
He noted that a realistic living wage, given the current economic environment, could be as high as N1 million.
Upah further argued that improved government revenues, including allocations from the Federation Account, provide the fiscal space to support better remuneration for workers.
The debate comes amid continued economic pressures following recent reforms, with labour maintaining that the existing N70,000 minimum wage remains insufficient for most workers.
