Organised Labour has stated that the process of renegotiating the National Minimum Wage will commence in July 2026.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) said this at the 2026 May Day celebration on Friday in Abuja with the theme,” Insecurity, Poverty- Bane of Decent Work.
The NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, said the move was to prevent delays experienced in previous wage negotiations.
Ajaero called on workers to come together and demand a living wage that is commensurate with the economic realities in the country.
“Unity remains important as we move towards negotiations. To be fragmented only weakens workers’ bargaining power.
Labour warns division threatens to undermine workers’ collective strength as wage talks approach
He said: “Labour feels unity is vital before talks, and a divided movement cannot deliver good results.
The NLC president emphasized that workers should be paid 100 per cent of their basic salaries from July 2026 until negotiations are concluded.
He said the demand was to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.
He also reiterated its commitment to defend workers’ rights and to advance their welfare across the country.
Nigerian workers need to come together to fight the challenges that are destroying their livelihoods and dignity, Ajaero said.
He said that as negotiations get closer, unity is more important than ever and division would weaken the bargaining power of workers at a crucial time.
Also speaking, Mr Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, said there was need for strengthening social dialogue platforms including revitalisation of the national labour consultative council.
He said reforms of the labour administration are also necessary to ensure that industrial relations in Nigeria are fairer and more effective.
Osifo warned that some employers continued to violate labour laws and called for strict enforcement of existing regulations.
He criticized some state governments for not fully implementing the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.
He said the actions hurt the welfare of workers, even though government revenues had improved in some states.
TUC president urged employers, in the public and private sectors, to be accountable and compliant.
However, Osifo condemned interference in the union’s affairs, including attempts to impose parallel leadership structures.
He said the actions posed a threat to the autonomy and stability of the trade unions in the country.
It reiterated its willingness to step up engagement with employers to defend workers’ rights across all sectors.
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