The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Lagos State chapter, has called on the state government to adopt a new minimum wage of N225,000 for workers in the state. The demand was made during the 2026 May Day celebration held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, where labour leaders and government officials gathered to mark Workers' Day.
NLC Pushes for Improved Workers' Welfare
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the NLC in Lagos State, Mrs Funmilayo Sessi, urged the government to take urgent steps to address the rising cost of living and improve workers' welfare through a revised wage structure. The labour leader maintained that the current economic realities had made a review of salaries unavoidable, insisting that workers deserve better compensation in line with prevailing conditions.
Government Officials Acknowledge Labour Concerns
The Lagos State government was represented at the ceremony by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, alongside other senior officials including the Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, and the Secretary to the State Government, 'Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin. Officials at the event listened to the demands of labour representatives as discussions around wage expectations and public sector welfare featured prominently during the celebration.
Continued Engagement Promised
Labour leaders stressed the need for continued engagement with the government to reach an agreement on a realistic and sustainable minimum wage structure for workers in Lagos State, Nigeria's commercial hub. The May Day rally brought together civil servants, union leaders, and government representatives, with renewed calls for improved working conditions dominating the discussions.
Sanwo-Olu Approves N50,000 Wage Award
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has approved a N50,000 wage award for civil servants in the state. The Sanwo-Olu administration started paying wage awards of N35,000 to workers in the state since January 2025. The deputy governor announced that the latest award would apply for May as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the rising cost of living. The announcement was made on Friday, May 1, 2026, during the International Workers' Day celebration held at Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
Gombe Governor Approves Minimum Wage for Workers
Meanwhile, the Gombe State governor approved full implementation of the national minimum wage for local government workers across the state. The Head of the State Civil Service confirmed that outstanding arrears had been cleared across councils, education authorities, and health workers. He stated that the implementation was expected to improve morale and strengthen service delivery at the grassroots level.
