The Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated consultations on a new national minimum wage, with the current ₦70,000 wage set to be reviewed. According to Kamil Shoretire, Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, background discussions are underway, but a timetable for formal negotiations has not been fixed. The move comes as public-sector workers push for a new wage structure, citing the erosion of purchasing power due to rising living costs.
The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) has proposed a ₦500,000 monthly salary for an officer on Grade Level 01, Step 1, under its proposed 2027 salary structure. The council is also demanding an immediate wage award and upward review of salaries and allowances to cushion rising living costs. Shoretire disclosed that details of the government's proposals would be made public when formal negotiations begin.
Consultations are also ongoing over wages and allowances in critical sectors, including health and education. The government aims to conclude agreements early enough for agreed provisions to be accommodated in the 2027 budget. Shoretire emphasized that various discussions with health, education, and other sectors are being fast-tracked.
The current ₦70,000 national minimum wage was approved in 2024 following negotiations between the Federal Government, organised labour, and employers. However, workers have intensified demands for another review, arguing that rising costs of transportation, food, housing, and other necessities have substantially eroded the purchasing power of the current wage.
The JNPSNC has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately establish a committee for the 2027 minimum wage negotiations, citing the need for an early start to prevent delays in implementation. The council also demanded an immediate wage award covering federal, state, and local government workers as an interim intervention pending the conclusion of the new minimum wage negotiations.
Shoretire also disclosed that the Federal Government had responded to a complaint lodged against it by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Nigeria met the September 1 deadline given by the ILO to respond to outstanding issues arising from the complaint. The NLC had petitioned the ILO, alleging violations of workers' rights under the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention.
Shoretire assured that the government remained committed to improving workers' welfare and resolving outstanding industrial relations issues through collective bargaining. He urged labour correspondents to ensure accuracy, fairness, and objectivity in reporting industrial disputes, warning that inaccurate or sensational reports could aggravate tensions and undermine reconciliation.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has started consultations on a new minimum wage.
- Workers are demanding a ₦500,000 monthly salary.
- The current ₦70,000 minimum wage was approved in 2024.
