New Minimum Wage: NLC Announces Nationwide Protest

Saturday April 4, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to stage nationwide protests on May Day 2026 in states yet to fully implement the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act.

The union also directed that all indoor or official May Day celebrations be suspended in affected states.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, on Friday, the NLC condemned several state governments for “continuing to violate the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, refusing to implement key provisions, including consequential adjustments for senior workers, regular and timely payment of the new wage, and the extension of coverage to local government staff, primary school teachers, and health workers.”

These violations constitute not only a breach of the law but an assault on the dignity of Nigerian workers,” the union added.

The 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on July 29, 2024, increased the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 monthly.

The wage review followed extended negotiations involving the federal government, labour unions, and representatives of the private sector.

The revised legislation also updated the 2019 Minimum Wage Act, incorporating provisions for consequential adjustments for senior staff, prompt salary payments, and expanded coverage to previously excluded groups such as local government workers, primary school teachers, and healthcare personnel.

However, implementation has remained inconsistent across several states, prompting the NLC to mobilise workers for protests on May 1.

May Day, also known as International Workers’ Day, is observed annually to celebrate workers and labour movements globally. This year, the NLC is prioritising public demonstrations over ceremonial gatherings.

According to the directive, State Councils in defaulting states are to avoid holding May Day events in government houses, banquet halls, or any enclosed venues organised by or in partnership with non-compliant state authorities. Instead, workers are to gather at labour houses, union offices, or designated public spaces by 7:00 a.m. and proceed on peaceful marches.

Each State Council is expected to map out protest routes ending at key government locations, including the State Government House, State House of Assembly, or the office of the Head of Service, where formal demands will be presented.

The NLC stressed that compliance with the directive is mandatory, warning that “any chairperson who fails to comply or substitutes the directive with passive celebration in a defaulting state shall face immediate disciplinary action.” Reports of compliance are to be submitted immediately.

“Comrades, the 2024 Minimum Wage Act did not come through supplication. It came through struggle. To celebrate May Day indoors while our rights are trampled upon is to betray that legacy. Let us therefore return to the streets!” the NLC urged.

The directive comes amid rising dissatisfaction over the N70,000 minimum wage, which many workers and labour groups say falls short of addressing the country’s high inflation and increasing cost of living.