On Saturday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) criticized the 36 state governors for their refusal to adopt a ₦60,000 minimum wage, labeling their stance as an act of wickedness and urging them to reconsider before a potential crisis arises.
The governors, through Hajiya Halimah Salihu Ahmed, Director of Media and Public Affairs for the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), had announced on Friday that they could not afford the proposed ₦60,000 minimum wage.
Responding, Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at the NLC, expressed shock at the governors’ statement, highlighting the significant increases in fuel prices and the exchange rate of the dollar against the Naira. He criticized the governors for their bad faith in making such a statement amid ongoing negotiations.
The labour leaders pointed out that FAAC allocations had increased from ₦700 billion to ₦1.2 trillion, suggesting that state governments were more financially capable than they claimed. They argued that by reducing governance costs, minimizing corruption, and prioritizing workers’ welfare, states could afford a reasonable minimum wage.
They emphasized that a national minimum wage sets a baseline to protect the poorest workers and is distinct from individual state pay structures. They noted that since 2019, when the minimum wage was set at ₦30,000, the value of the Naira had plummeted, with inflation and currency devaluation drastically reducing the purchasing power of workers.
The labour leaders warned that without addressing the root causes of economic distress, such as fuel subsidy removal and high energy tariffs, the situation for workers and the economy would worsen. They urged the governors to reconsider their position to prevent further economic decline and hardship for workers.
