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Breaking News: NLC, Federal Workers Demand Urgent Review of ₦70,000 Minimum Wage as States Raise Pay Above Benchmark
Labour Says ₦70,000 Minimum Wage Is No Longer Enough
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has cried out again.
They say the ₦70,000 minimum wage signed into law in 2024 is no longer realistic.
They want the Federal Government to act fast and review the wage.
Workers argue that inflation has swallowed their pay.
Prices of food, fuel, rent, and transport have made ₦70,000 too small.
They say many families are now suffering.
Background: From ₦30,000 to ₦70,000
President Bola Tinubu signed the ₦70,000 wage bill in July 2024.
The law replaced the ₦30,000 wage approved under the last administration.
At the time, workers rejoiced.
It was seen as a victory after long strikes and protests.
But the victory did not last long.
By 2025, inflation made the wage lose value.
Now, workers say the law is outdated already.
Call to Action: Government Must Act Now
📢 What Nigerians Are Demanding
Review the ₦70,000 wage upward immediately.
Match wages with rising cost of living.
Ensure no worker earns below a living wage.
👉 Have your say!
Should the federal government review the wage to ₦100,000 or more?
Share your views on DocuNews Central comment section.
States Raise the Bar Beyond ₦70,000
Some states have already moved ahead.
They have increased wages higher than the federal benchmark.
Imo State – ₦104,000
Imo shocked the country in August 2025 by raising pay to ₦104,000.
This made it the highest-paying state in Nigeria.
Lagos State – ₦85,000 Going to ₦100,000
Lagos increased to ₦85,000 in October 2024.
It promised to push further to ₦100,000 by the end of 2025.
Rivers State – ₦85,000
Rivers followed with ₦85,000 in late 2024.
The oil-rich state said its people deserve more.
Bayelsa, Niger, Enugu, Akwa Ibom – ₦80,000
These states lifted pay to ₦80,000 to reduce hardship.
Ogun and Delta – ₦77,000
They both approved ₦77,000.
Workers called it a step forward, though still small.
Benue and Osun – ₦75,000
Benue and Osun increased to ₦75,000.
This pushed them just above the federal rate.
Ondo – ₦73,000
Ondo also raised to ₦73,000.
Though little, it showed commitment.
NLC Members Speak Out
Some NLC leaders spoke to the press about their struggles.
Their words reflect the pain of Nigerian workers.
Joe Ajaero (NLC President)
“₦70,000 cannot feed a family of four in today’s Nigeria.
Workers are hungry.
The government must review the wage now before it is too late.”
Emmanuel Ugboaja (NLC General Secretary)
“States like Imo are paying ₦104,000.
Lagos is heading to ₦100,000.
Why should federal workers still be tied to ₦70,000?
The review is overdue.”
A Federal Worker in Abuja (Anonymous)
“My salary is finished before the 15th of the month.
Transport and food alone consume everything.
We cannot survive on ₦70,000 anymore.”
These voices echo across ministries, schools, and offices.
Workers feel abandoned unless quick action is taken.
Why ₦70,000 Is Too Small
Workers explain that most of their income goes to food.
For example:
Bag of rice costs above ₦75,000.
A bottle of cooking oil now sells above ₦2,000.
Transport fares in cities like Abuja and Lagos take ₦20,000 monthly.
With these costs, ₦70,000 cannot carry a family.
Many civil servants now borrow money to survive.
Call to Action: Workers Cannot Wait
🚨 Urgent Steps Needed
Federal Government should call wage review talks this month.
NLC and unions must push until a fair wage is set.
Citizens should support peaceful demands for better pay.
✍️ Join the campaign for fair wages.
Share this report to raise awareness.
What Government Is Saying
So far, the Federal Government has not given a clear response.
But sources in the Ministry of Labour say discussions may begin soon.
There are talks of setting up a new wage review panel.
Some insiders believe it may happen before the end of 2025.
Others say the government may wait until 2026.
But workers say waiting is dangerous.
They want immediate action.
Experts Add Their Voice
Economists say ₦70,000 has lost real value.
They believe a living wage today should be at least ₦100,000 to ₦120,000.
They also warned that if inflation is not reduced,
even ₦120,000 will soon be too small.
Experts suggest that alongside wage increase,
government must improve food supply and reduce transport costs.
The Wider Picture
This issue is not just about salaries.
It is about national stability.
If workers cannot survive, there will be unrest.
Strikes and protests could shake the economy.
A poor worker cannot give full output at work.
Rising poverty could also lead to crime and social breakdown.
That is why experts say the wage review is urgent.
What Happens Next
The coming weeks will be decisive.
If the government sets up a review, tension may ease.
If it delays, labour may call for strikes.
Already, whispers of a possible nationwide protest are growing.
The NLC has warned that “patience is running out.”
Call to Action: Citizens Must Stay Alert
⚠️ Be Informed, Stay Engaged
Follow labour news daily.
Support peaceful advocacy for fair pay.
Hold leaders accountable to their promises.
👉 Follow DocuNews Central for real-time updates.
DocuNews Central Final Word
Nigeria stands at a key moment.
From Abuja to Owerri, from Lagos to Port Harcourt,
workers are demanding survival, not luxury.
If the government responds fast, hope will return.
If it delays, the crisis will deepen.
The cry of workers is clear:
₦70,000 is no longer a wage.
It is a burden.
And it must change.
@DocuNews Central
