By Our Correspondent
National News – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed workers in states yet to fully implement the 2024 national minimum wage to stage street protests during the 2026 May Day celebration.
The decision, announced on Friday, is aimed at pressuring state governments that have failed to comply with the wage law signed by Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 29, 2024.
The labour union said workers in affected states should boycott indoor celebrations traditionally held inside government houses or event halls.
Instead, they are to assemble at labour houses, union secretariats, or public squares by 7:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026, before marching peacefully through their respective state capitals.
The directive was communicated in a statement issued by the NLC’s General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, who accused several state governments of violating the wage law.
According to the union, the violations include failure to implement consequential salary adjustments for senior workers, irregular payment of the new wage structure, and exclusion of local government staff, primary school teachers, and health workers from the new salary framework.
The wage increase raised Nigeria’s national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, following negotiations between government representatives, labour unions, and private sector stakeholders.
However, the NLC said the struggle that led to the new law should not be undermined by states refusing to implement it.
Workers participating in the protest marches are expected to follow designated routes in their state capitals, ending at government houses, state assemblies, or offices of the Head of Service.
At the final point, labour leaders will present formal memoranda demanding immediate compliance with the wage law.
The NLC also warned that any state labour council that replaces the protest with ceremonial celebrations will face disciplinary measures.
Labour leaders stressed that May Day should serve as both a celebration of workers’ contributions and a moment to defend their rights.
Meanwhile, labour unions argue that even the ₦70,000 wage is already losing value due to rising inflation and the high cost of living.
Organised labour recently proposed a new ₦154,000 minimum wage with a 120 per cent salary adjustment to reflect economic realities and protect Nigerian workers.
