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 commence immediately. The dispute followed an exchange of letters between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, and NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over the review of the N70,000 minimum wage signed into law in July 2024. In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Ajaero rejected the government’s position that an immediate review would be premature, arguing that the statutory timeline under the original National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, remained relevant despite the subsequent amendment.
Ajaero urged the government to begin the process by calling for nominations and inaugurating the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, comprising representatives of the government, organised labour and employers. He maintained that negotiations should start at least six months before the proposed implementation date to allow adequate preparation and prevent the accumulation of arrears. According to the NLC, the process should have commenced by October 17, 2026, with a new minimum wage taking effect by April 17, 2027. The union stressed that it was not demanding the immediate implementation of a new wage but the timely commencement of the administrative and negotiation processes.
However, Dingyadi, in a letter dated October 12, said the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024, provided for a review every three years. He argued that the current minimum wage would become due for review on June 1, 2027, describing the NLC’s demand for immediate negotiations as premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations. The minister’s position prompted Ajaero’s response, in which the labour leader maintained that the 2024 amendment did not invalidate the timeline established under the original legislation.
The disagreement comes amid growing concerns over rising living costs and the declining purchasing power of Nigerian workers. In its October 1 Independence Day statement, the NLC demanded a reduction in petrol prices to levels prevailing when the current minimum wage was signed into law, a nationwide wage award, the commencement of minimum wage negotiations before the end of October, and the implementation of outstanding agreements with health and public sector workers. The union also called for the implementation of previously agreed tax relief measures, warning that failure to address its demands within the stipulated period could lead to further action.
