BREAKING: Labour Rejects ₦70000 Minimum Wage In 2025—–Labour Demands Annual Minimum Wage Adjustments to Reflect Inflation
Organized labour groups in Nigeria have called for a significant shift in the approach to adjusting workers’ minimum wage. They argue that the government should no longer wait three to five years to review wages but instead implement annual adjustments to reflect rising inflation.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, made this position clear during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on January 1, 2025. He emphasized that the current ₦70,000 minimum wage, established in 2024, is already being eroded by inflation, making yearly reviews imperative.
A New Approach to Wage Adjustment
Osifo explained that organized labour, including the TUC and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is advocating for a system where minimum wage increases are directly tied to annual inflation rates.
“What we are proposing is simple,” Osifo said. “Instead of waiting for three or five years to adjust wages, we should use annual inflation data to ensure workers’ earnings remain reflective of economic realities. For instance, by January 15, 2025, when the National Bureau of Statistics releases the inflation rate for December 2024, that figure—say, 35%—should be applied to the current ₦70,000 minimum wage. This way, workers’ purchasing power remains stable.”
He added that the proposal could create a systematic framework for wage adjustments, avoiding the prolonged negotiations and financial struggles workers face between reviews.
Labour’s Position on the New Wage Law
The existing wage review cycle, recently reduced to three years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was a step forward. However, Osifo and other labour leaders believe it is insufficient given the volatile economic conditions.
“We have started discussions on this issue,” Osifo noted. “In 2024, we began pushing for this reform, and we will intensify our efforts in 2025. Annual adjustments based on inflation data from the preceding year are not just logical but necessary to protect workers’ livelihoods.”
The Context of the ₦70,000 Minimum Wage
The ₦70,000 minimum wage was agreed upon in July 2024 after extensive negotiations between the government and organized labour. At the time, President Tinubu acknowledged the inadequacy of the previous five-year review cycle and reduced it to three years. However, labour unions argue that inflation’s rapid pace necessitates even more frequent adjustments.
Osifo’s remarks underline the growing urgency for structural changes in wage policy. With inflation continuing to rise, organized labour insists that annual adjustments are the only way to ensure Nigerian workers do not fall deeper into economic hardship.
As the discussions progress, all eyes are on how the government will respond to these demands and whether the proposed system will be adopted. If implemented, it could set a new standard for wage policy in Nigeria, ensuring that workers’ pay keeps pace with economic realities.
