The Federal Government has commenced preliminary consultations ahead of fresh negotiations on a new national minimum wage for Nigerian workers.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr Kamil Shoretire, disclosed this in Abuja while speaking at a capacity-building workshop for labour correspondents. He said although the government had not fixed a date for the formal negotiations, background discussions with relevant stakeholders were already underway.
The development comes amid growing pressure from organised labour for a review of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage approved in 2024. Labour groups have argued that rising costs of food, transportation, housing and other essential goods have significantly reduced the purchasing power of the current wage.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour groups have been pushing for a substantial increase, with the NLC calling for a ₦500,000 minimum wage. Labour is also demanding a wage award to provide immediate relief for workers facing rising living costs.
Shoretire explained that the discussions extend beyond the minimum wage, with the government also engaging workers in sectors such as health and education over outstanding issues involving salaries and allowances. He said some agreements reached through the ongoing engagements would be fast-tracked for possible inclusion in the 2027 budget.
The Federal Government has, however, not announced the amount it is proposing as the new minimum wage, nor has it released a timetable for the formal negotiations. The outcome will depend on discussions involving the government, organised labour, employers and other stakeholders.
Shoretire also disclosed that the Federal Government had responded to the complaint filed by the NLC before the International Labour Organisation (ILO), saying Nigeria met the September 1 deadline given to address outstanding issues raised in the complaint.
