Organised Labour has said the process of renegotiating the National Minimum Wage will begin in July 2026.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said this at the 2026 May Day celebration on Friday in Abuja with the theme,” Insecurity, Poverty- Bane of Decent Work.
The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero said the move was aimed at preventing delays experienced during previous wage negotiations.
Ajaero called on workers to come together and demand a living wage that matched the economic realities in the country.
“Unity is still needed as we go towards negotiations, fragmentation would only weaken workers’ bargaining power.
Labour warns that division threatens to undermine workers’ collective strength as wage talks near
“Labour believes unity is essential before negotiations, and that a divided movement cannot deliver good results,” he said.
The NLC president insisted that workers should be given 100 per cent of their basic salaries from July 2026 pending the conclusion of negotiations.
He said the demand was to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.
He also reaffirmed its commitment to defending workers’ rights and advancing their welfare across the country.
Nigerian workers must come together to confront challenges undermining their livelihoods and dignity, Ajaero said.
He said that as negotiations draw closer, unity is more important than ever and that division would weaken workers’ bargaining power at a crucial time.
Also speaking, Mr Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, said there was need for strengthening social dialogue platforms including revitalisation of the national labour consultative council.
He said that reforms of the labour administration are also needed to ensure that industrial relations in Nigeria are fairer and more effective.
Some employers have continued to violate labour laws, Osifo warned, and he called for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
He expressed concern over the failure by some state governments to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
He said such actions undermined workers’ welfare despite improved government revenues in several states.
TUC president called for accountability and compliance from public and private sector employers alike.
Osifo, though, condemned interference in union affairs, including attempts to impose parallel leadership structures.
He said the actions posed a threat to the autonomy and stability of the trade unions in the country.
He reiterated its preparedness to ramp up engagement with employers to safeguard workers’ rights across all sectors.
