National News – The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has warned that even a ₦1 million monthly salary would be meaningless if the naira remains weak and inflation continues to surge.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Ajaero said workers are more concerned about purchasing power than headline wage figures, stressing that rising living costs have wiped out real income gains.

Ajaero noted that despite ongoing discussions about a new minimum wage, the process must follow legal timelines and cannot be rushed for political reasons.

He emphasized that workers’ struggles are tied not just to wages but to macroeconomic instability, particularly fuel price hikes and exchange rate volatility.

Across cities like Lagos and Kano, workers echoed similar frustrations.

Some civil servants said their salaries barely cover transportation and food, with rent and utilities increasingly unaffordable.

Labour activists argue that without stabilising the naira, wage increments simply chase inflation.

The NLC also flagged uneven implementation of the current minimum wage across states, especially in local governments and the education sector.

Ajaero hinted that protests on Workers’ Day may occur in non-compliant states rather than nationwide.

Beyond wages, he called for a resilient energy policy to shield Nigeria from global shocks, warning that international crises should not automatically translate into domestic hardship.

The broader implication is stark: Nigeria’s wage debate is shifting from “how much” to “how valuable.”

Analysts say unless monetary stability, productivity, and supply chains improve, higher salaries will remain symbolic rather than transformative.

In essence, Ajaero’s message reframes the conversation — economic stability, not just salary figures, determines whether Nigerians can truly live, not just earn.