The Nigeria Labour Congress has rejected the proposed ₦100,000 national minimum wage reportedly being considered by state governors, insisting that Nigerian workers require a living wage closer to ₦1 million under prevailing economic realities.

The position was made known by the spokesperson of the labour union, Benson Upah, during an interview following recent remarks by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

AbdulRazaq had disclosed during a Sallah visit to Bola Tinubu in Lagos that governors were discussing a possible upward review of the national minimum wage to ₦100,000.

According to him, discussions were ongoing between state governments, the Federal Government and organised labour to arrive at a wage structure capable of balancing workers’ welfare with fiscal sustainability.

The governor explained that rising inflation, increasing transportation costs and the growing economic burden on workers informed the proposal being considered by governors.

However, the NLC described the proposed figure as grossly inadequate in view of the country’s worsening economic conditions.

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Speaking on behalf of the labour union, Upah acknowledged that the willingness of governors to consider a wage review was a positive step but insisted that ₦100,000 could not realistically sustain workers under current realities.

According to him, the depreciation of the naira, rising inflation, increased electricity tariffs, higher fuel prices and expanding tax burdens have significantly weakened the purchasing power of ordinary Nigerians.

The labour spokesman argued that the economic environment now requires a far higher wage benchmark to guarantee decent living conditions for workers and their families.

Upah maintained that a realistic minimum wage, based on prevailing living costs, should be closer to ₦1 million if current economic conditions remain unchanged.

He also argued that government revenues had improved considerably in recent months and should make better worker compensation achievable.

The NLC pointed to increasing allocations shared through the Federation Account Allocation Committee and revenue gains linked to global oil market developments as indicators that governments have greater financial capacity.

According to Upah, workers remain the backbone of national productivity and deserve compensation that reflects the harsh economic realities facing households nationwide.

The debate over wages has intensified since the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira triggered widespread increases in transportation, food, electricity and housing costs across the country.

Although the Federal Government approved a new ₦70,000 minimum wage in July 2024 after lengthy negotiations with organised labour, labour unions have repeatedly argued that inflation has already eroded much of the value of the adjustment.

The ₦70,000 wage replaced the previous ₦30,000 national minimum wage that was signed into law in 2019.

Since then, workers’ unions have continued to press for further salary reviews, warning that millions of Nigerians are struggling to survive amid rising living expenses and economic uncertainty.

Economists and policy analysts remain divided over the issue, with some warning that a sharp increase in wages could place additional pressure on state finances, while labour groups insist that failing to improve wages could deepen poverty and reduce productivity.

As negotiations continue, the issue is expected to remain central in discussions between organised labour, the Federal Government and state governors in the coming months.