The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has initiated a nationwide strike to protest state governments’ failure to implement the N70,000 national minimum wage.
Amba Titus Audu, Chairman of the NLC 2024 National Minimum Wage Implementation Committee, affirmed the union’s stance, stating, “States that have not implemented or formalized agreements on the new wage must commence industrial action immediately. Verbal assurances are not enough—states must provide proof of payment.”
NLC National Treasurer, Akeem Ambali, echoed this position, criticizing state governments for unfulfilled promises. “Plans to begin payments in 2025 or vague commitments are unacceptable. Defaulters will face the full weight of the strike,” he warned. Ambali noted that affiliate unions nationwide have been mobilized to enforce compliance.
A directive issued after the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Port Harcourt on November 8 instructed state councils to ensure implementation or commence industrial action. The Congress identified 14 states, including Abia, Cross River, Enugu, Nasarawa, and Kaduna, that had either failed to adopt the new wage or implemented it partially.
For instance, in Cross River, the government announced N70,000 but failed to start payments or negotiations, while Enugu declared N80,000 without adjusting salary structures. Nasarawa made verbal agreements but avoided signing formal terms.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the NLC directed workers across six area councils to begin an indefinite strike after chairpersons failed to comply. In Ebonyi State, a one-week warning strike commenced on December 1 to protest Governor Francis Nwifuru’s selective implementation of the minimum wage, which excluded workers on certain salary levels.
Similarly, labour unions in Cross River State threatened indefinite industrial action over the lack of payment, and Nasarawa workers mobilized for a strike despite verbal assurances from the government.
In contrast, states like Ondo and Oyo distanced themselves from the strike. Ondo NLC Chairman Ademola Olapade announced that the state government had finalized arrangements to begin paying the new wage in November. Oyo TUC Chairman Bosun Olabiyi expressed confidence in the state government’s commitment, dismissing the need for industrial action.
Abia also avoided the strike after the government implemented the N70,000 minimum wage in October and addressed issues of consequential adjustments. Governor Alex Otti’s administration was praised for consistently paying salaries on time.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani refuted claims of non-compliance, stating that the lowest-paid civil servant in the state received N72,000 as gross salary in November. However, the government acknowledged challenges in meeting additional demands for salary adjustments, citing financial constraints.
Despite varying levels of compliance across states, the NLC remains resolute, insisting that no state will be exempt from the strike unless full implementation is achieved. NLC officials reiterated their commitment to holding state governments accountable, urging immediate action to address workers’ demands and end the industrial unrest.
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