The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have demanded a new minimum wage of ₦500,000 for Nigerian workers, citing rising economic hardship and the increasing cost of living.

National Deputy President of the NLC and President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Titus Amba, made the demand at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.

Amba, who represented NLC President Joe Ajaero, said the seven-year review period agreed upon during the negotiation that produced the current ₦70,000 minimum wage had expired in July.

He said the labour unions were therefore prepared to begin fresh negotiations with the Federal Government on a new minimum wage.

“So we want to enter into another negotiation with the federal government to request at least N500,000 to be paid to the nation’s workers as the new minimum wage,” Amba said.

He argued that the current economic situation made any minimum wage below ₦500,000 inadequate to meet the basic needs of Nigerian workers.

Amba, however, stressed that the unions were not seeking confrontation with the Federal Government but wanted a fresh negotiation aimed at improving workers’ welfare.

He also commended Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for providing an enabling environment for the summit, which attracted about 1,000 delegates.

Speaking at the event, Idris recalled that he was the first governor to implement a ₦75,000 minimum wage for workers in his state.

The governor pledged to present and champion the labour unions’ new demand at a meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.