By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have disagreed over when negotiations for a new national minimum wage should begin, as organised labour insists that preparations must start 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 challenged the government’s position that beginning a fresh review at this stage would be premature. He argued that the timetable provided under the original National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, remained relevant despite the subsequent amendment.
The NLC president urged the government to initiate the process by inviting nominations and inaugurating the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, which comprises representatives of the government, organised labour and employers.
“The time is now. The appropriate time is now,” Ajaero wrote, warning that further delays could worsen the economic hardship confronting Nigerian workers.
His response came a day after Dingyadi, in a letter dated October 12, acknowledged a communique issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s Central Working Committee and National Executive Council.
The minister maintained that the current minimum wage would become due for review on June 1, 2027. He argued that opening another review barely two years after the implementation of the N70,000 wage could be premature and disruptive to industrial relations.
The disagreement comes amid growing labour concerns over rising living costs and the declining purchasing power of workers’ salaries.
In a statement issued on October 1 to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day, the NLC demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices, a nationwide wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage.
The statement, signed by Ajaero and titled “Our Hope Depends on the Choices We Make and the Actions We Take”, highlighted the impact of rising transportation, food, rent and education costs on workers’ earnings.
The union also called for the implementation of tax relief measures agreed upon with the government in October 2023, arguing that workers needed additional support amid mounting financial pressures.
Among its demands, the NLC urged the government to reduce petrol prices to the levels that prevailed when the current minimum wage was signed into law in 2024, begin wage negotiations before the end of October and implement outstanding agreements with health and public sector workers.
It warned that failure to meet its demands within the stipulated period could lead to further action as directed by its relevant organs.
In his October 13 letter, Ajaero argued that the 2019 law, signed on April 18 of that year, had envisaged a review by April 2024. He maintained that the 2024 amendment did not erase the original timetable and argued that a new wage should take effect by April 17, 2027.
According to the NLC, negotiations should begin at least six months before the relevant deadline to allow sufficient time for preparations and prevent the accumulation of arrears. Based on its interpretation, the process should have commenced by October 17, 2026.
The union clarified that it was not demanding the immediate implementation of a new minimum wage but wanted the administrative and negotiation processes to begin.
Dingyadi, however, maintained that the National Minimum Wage Act, 2019, as amended by the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act, 2024, provides for a review every three years.
The differing interpretations have left the timing of the next minimum wage negotiations at the centre of the dispute between the Federal Government and organised labour.
