The National Labour Congress (NLC) has reignited the national debate on workers’ welfare, insisting that the recently approved ₦70,000 minimum wage is no longer realistic in today’s harsh economic climate.
In a statement posted on its official X handle, the NLC declared that the wage benchmark—initially celebrated as a victory for Nigerian workers—has already been eroded by skyrocketing inflation, rising cost of living, and the unrelenting squeeze on household incomes.
Labour leaders argue that despite the government’s approval, ₦70,000 can no longer cover even the most basic needs of an average Nigerian worker, from food and housing to transportation and healthcare.
“The truth is clear: ₦70,000 cannot sustain a family in the face of the current economic realities. Inflation is wiping away the value of workers’ sweat before it even reaches their pockets,” the NLC statement read in part.
This call for urgent renegotiation comes at a time when Nigerians are battling soaring food prices, unstable power supply, fuel hikes, and worsening unemployment—factors that labour unions say are compounding the struggles of millions of families.
The NLC vowed to push aggressively for a more “realistic and living wage” that reflects not just the dignity of labour but also the economic survival of workers, warning that failure to act swiftly could trigger fresh rounds of unrest.
Observers note that the development could set the stage for another tense confrontation between organised labour and the Federal Government, with possible strikes looming if demands are ignored.
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