N70,000 Minimum Wage: NLC Orders Street Protest in Defaulting States

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers in states yet to fully implement the 2024 national minimum wage to hold protests on May Day, 2026.

Under the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, governments and other employers of labour are expected to mandatorily pay a minimum wage of N70,000 to their workers.

A statement signed by the General Secretary of the NLC, stated that there would be no May Day ceremonies inside government houses, banquet halls, or any enclosed venue hosted by or in collaboration with defaulting State Governments.

It warned that the leadership state chapters which fails to comply or substitutes the directive with any form of passive celebration in a defaulting state shall face immediate disciplinary action

The statement read: “National leadership of Congress! May Day, the international day of the working class has always been a Day of solemn reflection on the state of workers’ rights and the celebration of our collective efforts in continuously building the wealth of nations. 

“Regrettably, several State Governments have continued to violate the 2024 National Minimum Wage Act, refusing to fully implement its key provisions, including consequential adjustments for senior workers, regular and timely payment of the new wage, and extension of coverage to local government staff, primary school teachers, and health workers.

“This constitutes not only a breach of the law but an assault on the dignity of Nigerian workers. Accordingly, all State Councils in states where full implementation has not been achieved are hereby directed as follows: No Indoor or Official Receptions There shall be no May Day ceremonies inside government houses, banquet halls, or any enclosed venue hosted by or in collaboration with defaulting State Governments. Official receptions are hereby suspended.”.

In line with the protest, the NLC stated that all workers in the affected states shall assemble at designated labour houses, union secretariats, or public squares by 7:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026, from where they will take to the streets of their respective state capitals in peaceful, organised, and resolute processions.

According to the directive, each State Council shall design a route that terminates at either the State Government House, the State House of Assembly, or the office of the Head of Service where a formal memorandum of demands shall be submitted at the endpoint.

“This directive is binding on all affected State Councils. Any Chairperson who fails to comply or substitutes this directive with any form of passive celebration in a defaulting state shall face immediate disciplinary action,” it said.