The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has formally begun negotiations with the Federal Government, pushing for a N1 million national minimum wage.

This significant demand aims to replace the current N70,000 benchmark, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing fight for improved living standards for Nigerian workers.

In an exclusive interview with Persecondnews, Benson Upah, Head of Information and Communications at the Labour House in Abuja, explained the rationale behind the revised demand.

He said the depreciation of the naira and other pressing economic factors, particularly the current high inflation in the country, necessitated a review of the minimum wage that was agreed upon in 2024.

“We accepted N70,000 as the minimum wage, considering the potential impact on Nigerians,” Upah said.

“The package included a review of the minimum wage from five years to three years and CNG incentives to ease transportation costs.

“Although it wasn’t the best offer, we accepted N70,000. However, given the current value of the minimum wage, we’ve commenced official communications with the government for a review.

“It’s essential to create value around the purchasing power of the masses,” the official told Persecondnews.

The NLC spokesperson emphasized that the N1 million minimum wage demand directly reflects Nigeria’s current economic realities, adding that the increase is crucial to restore the purchasing power of workers across both the public and private sectors, enabling them to cope with the high cost of living.

“N70,000 is about $44 not per hour, per day or per week but for a month, we are asking for a million for the minimum wage, which converts to $633 in American dollars.

“This is what we are asking from the President. Don’t forget that Nigeria prides itself as the largest economy in Africa, yet we pay our workers peanuts,” Upah said.

Upah reiterated the NLC’s conviction that the government possesses ample resources to afford a N1 million minimum wage.

He highlighted the significant rise in monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements, which have surged from N700 billion to over N1.6 trillion for distribution among the three tiers of government, as clear evidence of this financial capacity.

“The government of Nigeria is rich, there are statistics to back this up,” he said. “Where is the money from subsidy, where is the money from tariffs, Customs, FIRS? The Port makes billions of naira per day.”

Upah’s calculation of the N1 million minimum wage takes into account the current cost of living and the need for workers with families to afford basic necessities.

“We have commenced official communications with the government for a review of the minimum wage, given the current value of the minimum wage,” he said.

“It’s essential to create value around the purchasing power of the masses.”

The NLC is determined to negotiate a better wage for Nigerian workers, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands.

Persecondnews recalls that in 2023, NLC Ajaero was brutalized and arrested by alleged state agents, including police officers, in Owerri, Imo State, while leading a protest concerning unpaid salaries and other demands.

According to Upah, the Imo State government has yet to apologize to Ajaero for the incident, which transpired nearly two years ago.

“Contrary to the promises made by the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, no arrest has been made, and nobody has been brought to book,” Upah said, condemning the government’s response to the incident.

He noted that the brutalization of Ajaero highlights the challenges faced by workers in Nigeria and the need for better protection and support.

“The Imo State government has not apologized to the NLC President after he was brutalized in Owerri almost two years ago,” Upah said.

“This incident is a clear example of the risks faced by workers in Nigeria, and it’s essential for the government to take concrete steps to protect workers’ rights.”

Nigeria’s journey with the national minimum wage began in 1981, with the enactment of the first national minimum wage law, setting it at N125 per month.

Since then, the minimum wage has seen several significant revisions, reflecting the nation’s changing economic landscape.

In 2000, it increased to N5,500, a notable adjustment for the time. Then, in 2011, under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, it was raised to N18,000, further acknowledging the need for wage adjustments to support workers.

A major milestone occurred in 2019 when President Muhammadu Buhari signed the National Minimum Wage Act, establishing a new minimum wage of N30,000 per month.

More recently, in 2023, President Bola Tinubu’s administration increased the minimum wage by over 100 percent to N70,000.

These ongoing revisions underscore the continuous efforts to align the minimum wage with economic realities and ensure the well-being of Nigerian workers. (PSN)