The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, has expressed concerns that President Bola Tinubu's much-publicised "age of prosperity" has not yet translated into improved living conditions for Nigerian workers. Speaking on the Mic On Podcast, Ajaero argued that rising costs have significantly eroded the value of the N70,000 minimum wage. He stated that prosperity is not yet with the Nigerian worker.
Ajaero noted that organised labour accepted the N70,000 minimum wage partly because of government assurances that the impact of fuel subsidy removal would be cushioned through measures such as compressed natural gas transportation and cash transfers. However, he said many of those promises have either not been fully implemented or have failed to provide meaningful relief. This has left workers still burdened by high prices.
The NLC president stressed that workers' welfare depends not only on salary increases but also on the cost of living and the value of the naira. He questioned the usefulness of a high minimum wage if workers cannot afford basic necessities like housing. Ajaero emphasised that the government's promises have not been fulfilled, leading to continued hardship for workers.
Ajaero also criticised the slow rollout of CNG infrastructure, noting that the limited number of CNG buses and refuelling stations across the country has done little to ease transportation costs. He suggested that petrol could sell for about N500 per litre if locally produced crude oil was supplied to domestic refineries at favourable rates. This, he believes, could have helped reduce the cost of living.
The labour leader accused the Federal Government of inadequate engagement with organised labour, warning that unresolved concerns over wages and workers' welfare could trigger industrial action. Ajaero emphasised the need for the government to take workers' concerns seriously and engage with them to find solutions. He warned that failure to do so could lead to unrest.
Ajaero further faulted the positions of President Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party's Peter Obi on fuel subsidy removal, saying all three share similar market-driven economic views. He described their positions as being from the far right. Ajaero's comments highlight the ongoing debate over the best approach to economic policy in Nigeria.
The NLC president expressed hope that the government's promise of an "age of prosperity" could eventually become a reality. He noted that although inflation may be slowing, Nigerians are still burdened by the high prices created by previous inflationary increases. Ajaero called for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the country's economic challenges, one that prioritises the welfare of workers.
Key points
- The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, says President Bola Tinubu's "age of prosperity" has not yet translated into improved living conditions for Nigerian workers.
- Ajaero criticised the slow rollout of CNG infrastructure and its limited impact on easing transportation costs.
- The labour leader faulted the positions of President Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party's Peter Obi on fuel subsidy removal.
