The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have disagreed over when negotiations for a new national minimum wage should begin, with organised labour insisting that preparations must start immediately to prevent further hardship for Nigerian workers, Peak Newspaper reports.
The disagreement followed an exchange of letters between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, and NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over the timetable for reviewing the N70,000 national minimum wage signed into law in July 2024.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Ajaero rejected the Federal Government’s position that beginning a fresh wage review at this time would be premature. He argued that the timetable established under the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 remained relevant despite the amendment introduced in 2024.
The NLC president called on the government to begin the administrative process by requesting nominations and inaugurating the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, which comprises representatives of the government, organised labour and employers.
“The time is now. The appropriate time is now,” Ajaero wrote, warning that delaying the process could worsen the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian workers.
His response came a day after Dingyadi, in a letter dated October 12, acknowledged receipt of a communiqué issued following a joint meeting of the NLC’s Central Working Committee and National Executive Council.
The minister maintained that the current minimum wage would become due for review on June 1, 2027. He argued that starting another review barely two years after the implementation of the N70,000 wage could be premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.
The disagreement has emerged amid growing pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living and the declining purchasing power of workers’ salaries.
In its Independence Day statement issued on October 1, the NLC demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
The statement, signed by Ajaero and titled “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take,” highlighted the rising costs of transportation, food, rent and education, which the union said had continued to weaken the value of workers’ earnings.
The labour body also called for the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon with the Federal Government in October 2023, arguing that workers should not be left to bear the increasing cost of living without additional support.
Among its demands, the NLC asked the government to reduce petrol prices to the levels that prevailed when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024. It also called for negotiations on a new minimum wage to begin before the end of October and urged the authorities to fulfil outstanding agreements with health and public sector workers.
The union warned that failure to address its demands within the stipulated period could force it to take further action, in line with decisions by its relevant organs.
Explaining its position on the wage review, Ajaero said the National Minimum Wage Act signed on April 18, 2019, had envisaged a review by April 2024.
According to the NLC president, the 2024 amendment did not erase the timetable contained in the original law. He argued that a new minimum wage should take effect by April 17, 2027, based on the timeline advanced by the union.
Ajaero further maintained that negotiations should begin at least six months before the relevant deadline to provide enough time for consultations, administrative preparations and an agreement between the parties.
On that basis, the NLC argued that the process should commence by October 17, 2026, rather than waiting until the government’s proposed review date approaches.
The union stressed that its demand was not for the immediate implementation of a new minimum wage. Instead, it wants the government to begin the necessary preparations and negotiations early enough to ensure that a new agreement can be reached and implemented within the timeline it considers appropriate.
Dingyadi, however, maintained that the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, as amended by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act of 2024, provides for a review every three years.
The disagreement leaves the Federal Government and organised labour with different interpretations of when the next wage review process should begin, even as workers continue to face pressure from rising living expenses.
The outcome of discussions between both sides could determine when formal negotiations begin and how quickly the government, labour unions and employers can work towards an agreement on the next national minimum wage.
