Organised labour has reiterated its demand for a N500,000 national minimum wage, insisting that the proposal reflects the current economic realities facing Nigerian workers despite ongoing negotiations with the Federal Government.
National Secretary of the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo, stated that labour remained committed to the proposed wage but was willing to engage constructively with the government to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News following a six-hour meeting between labour leaders and government representatives, Olowoyo described the discussions as productive and expressed optimism about the outcome.
He welcomed the Federal Government's decision to provide workers with a monthly transport allowance of N70,000 for six months, beginning in November 2026, noting that the intervention would help cushion the impact of rising transportation costs and fuel prices.
According to him, the transport support demonstrates the government's willingness to address workers' concerns and provide immediate relief while negotiations over a new minimum wage continue.
Olowoyo explained that the allowance is intended to benefit workers across all levels, particularly those most affected by the increasing cost of living. However, he stressed that the measure should only be viewed as a temporary solution.
He maintained that organised labour had not abandoned its demand for a N500,000 minimum wage, adding that the proposal was based on the financial responsibilities workers bear, including family upkeep, school fees, and other household expenses.
While insisting on the need for a substantial wage increase, he said labour would remain flexible during negotiations and was prepared to support any reasonable agreement that significantly improves workers' welfare. The labour leader also expressed confidence that discussions would progress through the proposed tripartite committee expected to negotiate a new wage structure. He noted that the agreement reached with the government signalled a commitment to finding a lasting solution to the minimum wage issue.
Olowoyo further stated that the benefits of the ongoing negotiations would extend beyond the unions directly involved, highlighting the broad representation of workers through the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions.
He expressed confidence that the government would fulfil its commitment to the N70,000 monthly transport support, describing the signed agreement as binding on both parties. The transport intervention is expected to run from November 2026 to April 2027, with organised labour hopeful that negotiations on a new minimum wage will be concluded before the programme ends.
Despite welcoming the temporary relief, Olowoyo reiterated that labour's ultimate goal remains the establishment of a minimum wage that adequately reflects the economic challenges confronting Nigerian workers.
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