Nigerian unions demand concrete proposals on wages
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Businessday
The Nigeria Labour Congress is awaiting concrete proposals from the Federal Government on workers’ demands, including wages and the price of petrol. Talks are due to resume on 27 October after a meeting ended without agreement on 22 October, according to a joint statement by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Nigeria’s main trade union federation, expects the Federal Government to present concrete proposals on workers’ demands when negotiations resume on Tuesday, 27 October, Businessday reports. The discussions cover the price of petrol, the minimum wage and demands from public-sector workers.
The previous meeting, on 22 October, ended without an agreement. According to a joint statement by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), the government delegation did not have the necessary mandate to negotiate and had asked for more time so that ministers and senior government officials could take part in the talks. The unions are also calling for tax relief, wage allowances and the implementation of outstanding agreements in the health sector and public service.
The NLC is calling for immediate negotiations on a new minimum wage, arguing that purchasing power has eroded despite the monthly minimum of 70,000 naira introduced in 2024. The government considers that the current wage should be reviewed from 1 June 2027. The unions extended their initial ultimatum, which expired on 22 October, until 27 October and have maintained the possibility of nationwide action if the talks make no progress.
The resumption of talks is part of the resumption of wage negotiations between the Nigerian government and the unions, announced on 27 October. The unions had previously extended their ultimatum for a nationwide strike by five days on 22 October.
