The Federal Government has confirmed that all necessary steps are in place to begin negotiations for a new National Minimum Wage, ahead of the expiry of the current N70,000 benchmark in 2027. The confirmation came as trade unions push for a N500,000 minimum wage and a reduction in petrol pump prices to N500 per litre.
Government Confirms Readiness for Wage Negotiations
According to a report by AIT on Wednesday, September 23, Kamil Shoretire, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, made the disclosure during a one-day workshop focused on the ministry's activities. Shoretire stated that the process is moving forward as expected, even as organised labour has already entered the conversation with ambitious demands.
The trade union's Public Service Negotiating Council is pushing for a new minimum wage of N500,000, and is also calling for a reduction in petrol pump prices to N500 per litre, a figure far below current market rates. The current minimum wage of N70,000 is set to expire next year, and the government has indicated that preparations are on track for the negotiation process.
Nigeria Responds to ILO Complaints
Shoretire also revealed that Nigeria submitted its response to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) before the September 1 deadline. The ILO had directed Nigeria to react to a report filed by African workers, which accused the country of failing to resolve longstanding labour disputes involving the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Lagos State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and other bodies.
Nigeria also formally responded to its non-implementation of Convention 187, an ILO standard on occupational safety and health frameworks. The response was part of the government's efforts to address international concerns about labour practices in the country.
Investigation into Miners' Deaths in Niger State
Separately, the Federal Government said it is ready to work with relevant bodies to investigate the controversial deaths of 37 miners while in custody at a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) detention facility in Niger State, according to Leadership newspaper. The deaths have raised questions about the treatment of detainees and the circumstances surrounding their custody.
Shoretire said the Labour Factory Inspectorate Department within the ministry is prepared to collaborate with a committee set up by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Ojo, which is already looking into the circumstances that led to the miners' deaths. He gave no further details on the timeline for the investigation or when findings are expected to be made public.
TUC Pushes for Periodic Minimum Wage Hikes
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Festus Osifo, president of the TUC, said that organised labour is pushing for an annual increase in the national minimum wage paid to workers in Nigeria. The TUC boss stated that members of the organisation, as well as their colleagues in the NLC, have begun talks on the issue. This push for periodic hikes is part of a broader labour strategy to keep wages aligned with economic realities.
The Federal Government's confirmation of readiness for negotiations, alongside the ILO response and the miners' deaths investigation, indicates a busy period for the Ministry of Labour and Employment as it addresses multiple labour-related issues.
