The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the National Assembly’s proposal to transfer labour-related matters, including the national minimum wage, from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List — a move that would allow individual states to set their own wage structures.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, issued a stern warning on Friday during the Central Working Committee’s National Administrative Council (NAC) meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He described the legislative push as a “futile exercise” and a deliberate attempt to weaken Nigeria’s national wage system and undermine workers’ welfare.
Ajaero argued that under international standards — particularly the conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) — the minimum wage is a national issue, not one to be fragmented among sub-national entities.
“This is nothing but a calculated effort to dismantle the national minimum wage structure and shift other labour responsibilities, including the creation of state industrial courts, to state governments,” Ajaero said. “It is a direct violation of global labour standards.”
He challenged lawmakers to allow their own salaries to be determined by their state governments if they insist on transferring labour matters to the concurrent list.
“We will resist this with everything we have. If necessary, we’ll mobilise Nigerian workers to protest — even on election day,” he warned.
Speaking to journalists afterward, Ajaero reiterated that the NLC would resist any attempt to erode the rights and protections currently afforded to workers under the national minimum wage law.
“In every civilised country, the minimum wage is national policy. In Nigeria, it’s currently ₦70,000, and states are free to pay more — and many already do. What we will not accept is states paying less,” he stated.
He also clarified that the NLC has not received reports of any state refusing to implement the new minimum wage, urging continued compliance across the country.
On the issue of delayed local government autonomy, Ajaero called for further legal action, including a possible return to the Supreme Court for proper interpretation and enforcement of its rulings in line with the constitution.
