As Nigeria marks May Day 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have called for an immediate review of the N70,000 minimum wage, citing severe inflation, rising taxes, and escalating costs of living. Workers nationwide expressed frustration that despite promises from President Bola Tinubu to provide a “living wage,” conditions have worsened since the removal of fuel subsidies and devaluation of the naira in 2023. Labour leaders across states—from Bayelsa to Ebonyi, Rivers to Lagos—reported that the new wage has become insignificant, with many workers unable to afford basic needs like food, healthcare, and housing.
State union heads decried poor policy impacts, noting that inflation has rendered workers’ earnings useless. They also criticized the federal government’s economic decisions, holding it responsible for the workers’ suffering. Despite the hardships, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured that the government would protect workers’ rights and work with labour to address concerns. However, union leaders insist that only a prompt and substantial wage increase can alleviate the economic burden faced by the Nigerian workforce.
