NLC Maintains December 1 Deadline for Minimum Wage, Warns of Nationwide Strike
The National Labour Congress (NLC) has reaffirmed its December 1 deadline for all states to implement the newly approved minimum wage of N70,000. Despite progress, with over 30 state governors already agreeing to adopt the new pay structure, the union has warned that any state that fails to comply by the deadline will face indefinite strike action.
President Bola Tinubu officially signed the new minimum wage bill into law on July 29, 2024, raising the country’s minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000. On November 11, the NLC set November 30 as the final date for states to adopt the new wage for their workers.
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While many states have already moved to implement the wage increase, key states including Zamfara, Sokoto, Cross River, and Nasarawa have yet to reach agreements or take action. The NLC has made it clear that the union’s directive applies to every state, not just the majority that have complied.
Benson Upah, spokesperson for the NLC, told TheCable on Saturday, “Nothing has changed as per that directive.” He emphasized that while many states have implemented the new wage, “majority is not everybody,” and warned that failure to meet the deadline would trigger a nationwide strike.
“The union will carry out its threats if all states do not adhere to the directive,” Upah added.
