The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared that a monthly salary of ₦1 million would be meaningless to Nigerian workers without a stable naira and meaningful improvements in the broader economy.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, NLC President Joe Ajaero stressed that organised labour is more concerned about the real value of wages than nominal increases, noting that rising inflation has continued to erode workers’ purchasing power across the country.
“Even if Nigerian workers earn ₦1 million, it will not be meaningful if the naira has no value,” Ajaero said.
The labour leader pointed to the steady increase in the cost of living, which has made it difficult for workers to afford basic necessities such as food, transportation, and housing.
He explained that the focus of the union is to ensure that workers earn a currency “that can sustain them and their families at least to the end of the month.”
NLC had previously made a similar argument in March 2026 when it called for a wage award and cost-of-living allowance following a sharp rise in petrol prices. At the time, Ajaero said the government cannot leave workers helpless while global oil market volatility drives up domestic prices.
New Minimum Wage Negotiations Not Rushed
On the national minimum wage, Ajaero clarified that the ongoing conversation must follow laid-down procedures and is tied to a specific review cycle. According to the NLC president, the process cannot be rushed because of election timelines, and negotiations have not yet commenced.
“When it is time, we will commence negotiation ahead of its expiration,” Ajaero said, noting that the congress would initiate the process within the stipulated window before the current wage structure expires.
Call for Urgent Intervention
The NLC president reiterated the need for government intervention to cushion the impact of inflation, stating that the current economic situation has not improved for workers.
He noted that fuel price surges had worsened the hardship, with attendant effects on transportation costs, food prices, and the general cost of living.
The union has consistently warned that high taxes, rising national debt, and poor engagement with labour remain threats to the nation’s economic stability.
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