Nigerian workers have commenced mobilisation to demand a new national minimum wage of ₦500,000.
The push is being led by the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which has written to President Bola Tinubu, calling for the immediate constitution of a tripartite committee to negotiate a new wage ahead of January 2027.
The council has given the Federal Government until September 30, 2026, to act, warning that economic hardship is heightening tension among workers nationwide.
The National Secretary of the JNPSNC, Olowoyo Gbenga, said mobilisation has already started following the letter to the President.
“We have started mobilising now. With this letter we have issued, and with the deadline we have set for Mr President, the mobilisation has started,” he said.
He noted that the council wants negotiations concluded before the end of 2026 to enable implementation from January 2027 and avoid the delay that trailed the 2024 minimum wage law, which only took effect in July.
According to him, the ₦70,000 minimum wage approved in 2024 has failed to protect workers against soaring inflation, transport fares, food prices and other living costs.
He said workers require an immediate wage award as an interim relief while negotiations for a new minimum wage are concluded.
“The wage award will serve as an interim measure between now and the enactment of the minimum wage. Government should bring up wage awards,” he said.
Gbenga also called for improved welfare for public servants, including affordable housing, career progression and better working conditions.
He expressed hope that the new wage process would be concluded early enough to bring relief to workers and their dependents.
