By JOY OYERINDE/FLORENCE ONUEGBU

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State Council, has appealed to the Lagos State Government to review minimum wage for its workers from the current N85,000 to N225,000.

The Chairperson of the council, Comrade Funmi Sessi, made the appeal on Friday, during the 2026 International Workers’ Day celebration also known as May Day celebration.

The event held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Lagos.

Sessi said that the upward review had become compelling due to rising inflation and the resultant high cost of living.

She said that while approval of the current N85,000 minimum wage by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was commendable, prevailing economic realities had rendered the amount inadequate to meet workers’ basic needs.

“Given the current economic hardship and the high cost of living in Lagos, this amount is no longer sufficient.

“We, therefore, respectfully appeal to the state government to review the minimum wage to N225,000 in the interest of workers and industrial harmony,” the chairperson said.

She said that the theme of the celebration – “Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work” – aptly reflected the challenges confronting Nigerian workers.

Sessi also expressed concern over rising insecurity across the country, saying that it had continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and productivity.

According to her, workers in many parts of the country face risks such as kidnapping and displacement, making workplaces increasingly unsafe.

She urged the federal and Lagos State governments to strengthen security architecture toward ensuring adequate protection of lives and property.

Sessi also decried rising level of poverty and inflation, noting that the cost of essential goods and services had soared beyond the reach of the average worker.

She said that many workers struggled to meet basic needs such as housing, transport, healthcare and education.

“The current inflation rate of 15.38 per cent has worsened the suffering of our people.

“Prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities have risen significantly, making workers more vulnerable,” the labour leader said.

She also linked the economic hardship to global developments, including the conflict between Iran and the U.S., which had negatively impacted petroleum prices and worsened the cost of living.

Sessi, however, praised Lagos State Government for infrastructure development and worker-focused initiatives.

She listed commendable projects by the state government to include the Blue, Red and Yellow Rail Lines, the Opebi–Ojota Link Bridge, school blocks and roads.

Sessi described May Day as a significant event in the global labour movement, noting that it provided an opportunity for workers to reflect on their struggles and achievements, while renewing their commitment to social justice.

She reiterated the need for policies that would promote decent work, inclusive economic growth and improved welfare for workers.

The event was attended by Lagos Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat who represented Sanwo-Olu, some other Lagos State Government officials, labour leaders and thousands of workers across various sectors. (NAN)

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