The Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have disagreed over when negotiations for a new national minimum wage should begin, with organised labour insisting that preparations must commence immediately.
The disagreement followed an exchange of letters between the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Dingyadi, and NLC President, Joe Ajaero, over the review of the 70-thousand-naira minimum wage signed into law in July 2024.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026, Ajaero rejected the government’s position that a fresh review would be premature, arguing that the statutory timetable under the original National Minimum Wage Act of 2019 remained relevant despite the 2024 amendment.
He urged the government to begin the process by calling for nominations and inaugurating the National Minimum Wage Tripartite Committee, comprising representatives of the government, organised labour and employers.
Ajaero’s position followed a letter dated October 12, in which Dingyadi acknowledged receipt of a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the NLC’s Central Working Committee and National Executive Council.
The minister maintained that the current minimum wage would become due for review on June 1, 2027, arguing that beginning another review barely two years after the implementation of the 70-thousand-naira wage would be premature and potentially disruptive to industrial relations.
The disagreement sets the stage for further engagement between the Federal Government and organised labour over the timing and process for reviewing workers’ minimum wage.
