Rising Inflation and Hardship: NLC Calls for New Minimum Wage in 2026

Citing rising inflation and deteriorating hardship nationwide, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the Federal Government to review workers’ wages immediately in the next year.

Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, stated in his New Year’s speech to employees that workers’ pay should be a livable wage rather than just enough to survive.

In keeping with Mr. President’s pledge to pay living wages, we demand an urgent salary review given the rising inflation and hardship. A worker’s income must provide life, not just survival. We’ll use every legal tool at our disposal to pursue this,” Ajaero declared.

The labor leader admitted that 2025 was a particularly challenging year for Nigerian workers, characterized by growing vulnerability and economic distress.

“As we approach 2026, the Nigeria Labour Congress offers firm brotherly greetings and strong solidarity to every person who is burdened by the burden of our current socioeconomic system. Without a doubt, the previous year was difficult and revealed our weaknesses,” he said.

Ajaero stated that organized labor was unwavering in its quest for social justice and fair income allocation in spite of the obstacles.

“But they did little to weaken our resolve or focus in our pursuit of social justice and equitable wealth redistribution as a means of fostering national unity,” he continued.

According to Ajaero, the Federal Government, led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has promised more significant participation, therefore the new year is filled with cautious hope.

“We approach this new year with a strengthened commitment, bolstered by struggle and insight, rather than with naive hope. He stated, “The President’s pledges of a more devoted and significant engagement from the Federal Government have opened a potential vista for dialogue.”

But he cautioned that the NLC would continue to be watchful and would not think twice about organizing workers to demand accountability from the government.

“We must organize, mobilize, and hold every tier of government accountable,” stated Ajaero. Only governments and political players who exhibit a sincere desire to free the masses from oppression and poverty will have our cooperation and support.

According to the president of the NLC, organized labor will oppose political manipulation and reject politicians who profit from divisive politics and hollow promises.

He declared, “We categorically reject those mercantilistic politicians whose stock-in-trade is empty promises, divisive rhetoric, and policies that decimate our living standards for the benefit of a parasitic few.”

He emphasized that peace and safety are essential to national stability and that security must continue to be a major priority for governments at all levels.

“We acknowledge recent successes,” the NLC President stated. Since everyone deserves to live in peace and security, we will keep pushing the government to build on its current achievements. The administration ought to stop looking back.

In closing, Ajaero urged workers to stick together in 2026, stating that solidarity is the most powerful instrument for bringing about national change.

As a result, let’s proceed with greater unity, organization, and resolve than before. “Our victory lies in our unity, and our power remains in our numbers,” he declared.