The Nigeria Labour Congress on Wednesday called for an urgent review of workers’ wages in 2026, saying current earnings are no longer sufficient to meet basic living needs as inflation and hardship persist across the country.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made the call in a New Year message to workers and Nigerians, in which he said labour would continue to press the Federal Government to fulfil its promise to ensure workers receive a living wage.
He said the government had pledged more meaningful engagement with organised labour, and the NLC would participate in such discussions “deeply and patriotically,” but stressed that wages must reflect the cost of living.
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“Our mobilisation in 2026 will be both strategic and tactful for the benefit of
the Nigerian nation. Real hope for Nigerians is possible only when burdens are lifted or minimised or are equitably shared, when trust is strengthened, and hopes and dreams fulfilled and not betrayed.
“Furthermore, given the escalating inflation and suffering, we demand anr Urgent wage review as a worker’s income must guarantee life, not mere survival in furtherance of Mr President’s promise to pay living wages. We shall
pursue this with every legitimate means at our disposal, ” he said.
Ajaero also called on the government to sustain security efforts nationwide, noting that the safety of lives and property remains a core responsibility of the state.
He said, “Security remains a fundamental right, and the primary duty of any state is to guarantee it and the safety of the property.
We acknowledge recent successes. We will continue to urge the state to build on the ongoing successes as the people are deserving of peace and security wherever they live. The government should not look back.”
The labour leader urged workers to remain vigilant in the new year, saying the Congress would continue to mobilise and hold all tiers of government accountable for policies affecting living standards.
He said, ” In light of this, our primary message to workers and indeed, the citizenry, as we step into 2026, is to be vigilant and patriotic. On our part, our duty is crystal clear; we must organise, mobilise, and hold every tier of government accountable. We will work with and support only those governments and political actors who demonstrate, through clear, pro-people plans and actionable commitments, a genuine desire to uplift the masses from poverty and oppression.
We reject outright those mercantilistic politicians whose stock-in-trade are empty promises, divisive rhetoric, and policies that decimate our living standards for the benefit of a parasitic few.”
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He said the NLC would only support political leaders who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the welfare of citizens, while rejecting policies that worsen poverty.
He encouraged workers to remain united as the country enters 2026, saying labour would continue to advocate for fair economic policies and social justice.
Nigeria last reviewed its national minimum wage in July 2024, increasing it from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000 per month after negotiations with labour unions and a series of industrial actions.
The change was formalised through the National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2024 and was introduced in response to persistent inflation and rising living costs.
The 2024 adjustment followed an earlier increase in 2019, when the minimum wage was raised from ₦18,000 to ₦30,000 after several years without review.
— PUNCH
