Labour Insists on N500,000 Minimum Wage Demand, Says Position Remains Unchanged

Organised labour has reaffirmed its demand for a ₦500,000 minimum wage, insisting the figure reflects the financial pressure Nigerian workers face amid the rising cost of living.
It was reported that the National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Gbenga Olowoyo, said this during an Arise News interview on Tuesday.

He, however, said labour was open to reasonable negotiations with the Federal Government to arrive at an acceptable figure.
Olowoyo spoke after a six-hour meeting between organised labour and the Federal Government on workers’ welfare and measures to cushion the effects of rising petrol prices.

He welcomed the government’s agreement to pay workers ₦70,000 in monthly transport support for six months, beginning in November.

“I think with the recent development that happened today, the negotiation lasted over six hours, and with the outcome of the meeting, I think it is a good omen,” he said.

The labour leader explained that the intervention would cover workers at all levels, including grassroots workers, following concerns over soaring transport costs and the impact of higher fuel prices on household budgets.

Olowoyo stressed that the ₦70,000 support was only a temporary relief while talks on a new minimum wage continued.

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“The template of ₦500,000 is still subsisting. And at the same time, if government is able to dance around ₦500,000, we would be alright to support the President. So I want to believe that, as I told you, we are not going to be rigid, but at the same time, we’ll be reasonable,” he said.

He explained that the proposed wage accounted for workers’ responsibilities, including feeding their families, paying school fees, and meeting other basic needs.

The JNPSNC secretary expressed optimism that the agreement would pave the way for further talks, particularly the setting up of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new minimum wage, a key demand of labour.

He said the government’s decision to sign an agreement with labour showed its commitment to resolving the issue.

Olowoyo noted that the outcome would benefit workers beyond the unions directly involved in the talks, as the Nigeria Labour Congress has over 40 affiliate unions.

He explained that the negotiations initially involved the JNPSNC and eight unions before the NLC joined, widening the scope of representation.

He described the outcome as a collective victory for Nigerian workers. The labour leader expressed confidence that the government would honour the agreement to pay the transport support.

“We know government is going to implement it because that is commitment already,” he said.

The six-month intervention is expected to run from November 2026 to April 2027, and Olowoyo said labour hoped to conclude negotiations on the new minimum wage before then.

He added that the coming months would give both parties the opportunity to resolve outstanding issues and reach an agreement that reflects the economic realities facing workers.